Slovakia's Proposed Constitutional Change Threatens LGBTIQ Rights

Tens of thousands of Slovakians demonstrated across nearly 30 cities on Friday, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico. The protests stem from widespread dissatisfaction with Fico's perceived pro-Russia policies. Organizers claimed that approximately 60,000 participants gathered in the capital city of Bratislava alone. Demonstrators voiced their commitment to European unity, expressing sentiments such as, "Slovakia belongs to Europe. We do not want collaboration with Russia." The protests signify a growing unrest among citizens regarding the government's foreign policy direction and their desires for a closer alignment with the West.

In a shocking incident at a high school in Spisska Stara Ves, Slovakia, a student fatally stabbed a female teacher and a classmate on Thursday. The victims, aged 51 and 18, were pronounced dead at the scene, while another 18-year-old female classmate sustained injuries and was taken to a hospital. Emergency services arrived promptly, finding the tragic aftermath of the attack. The suspected assailant, an 18-year-old student, was detained shortly after the incident, according to police reports. Slovakia, a nation of approximately 5.4 million, has a history of low violent crime rates, making this occurrence particularly unsettling. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok and other officials have responded to the incident, highlighting the shock permeating the small town located near the Polish border. President Peter Pellegrini issued a statement emphasizing that violence can never be a solution to conflicts, underlining the need for dialogue and understanding. This tragedy adds to a growing concern about youth violence in educational settings worldwide.

A tragic incident occurred on January 16, 2025, in Spisska Stara Ves, Slovakia, when an 18-year-old student stabbed two females, resulting in their deaths and injuring a third. The victims, a 51-year-old female teacher and an 18-year-old student, were pronounced dead at the scene, while another 18-year-old classmate sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Emergency services responded rapidly to the scene at the local high school, where the attack took place shortly after classes began. Authorities confirmed that the perpetrator was apprehended shortly after the incident, as stated by the police. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok, along with the Minister of Education and the Chief of Police, visited the site to assess the situation. This brutal event has shocked a nation where violent episodes are uncommon, only recalling a recent assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico last May. The Slovak President Peter Pellegrini expressed his condolences and reaffirmed that such violence is not a solution to any problem, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolutions.