Domestic Policies

Premier: Issue of Replacing Slovak Intelligence Service Head Open

Prime Minister Ludovit Odor (stock photo by TASR)

Bratislava, May 17 (TASR) - The issue of replacing the head of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) is open, said Prime Minister Ludovit Odor following the first meeting of the caretaker government on Wednesday.
"I haven't even had time to visit the interior minister [Ivan Simko]. The president [Zuzana Caputova] has some powers there, so we'll discuss this possibility," he said. So far, he hasn't even met incumbent SIS director Michal Alac.
Concerning other personnel exchanges; for example, the head of the Agricultural Payment Agency or the Police Corps chief, the premier gave ministers a free hand, explaining that ministers need people that they trust in key positions. "Every minister is now considering who to keep, where to bring in their own person," said Odor, adding that he'll have the right of veto, however.
Several political parties have called on the new prime minister to replace the SIS head. The SIS director is appointed and dismissed by the president on a proposal of the government. Both Alac and his predecessor Vladimir Pcolinsky were nominated by the 'We Are Family' party.

Takac: Police Launch Criminal Investigation, Infested Wood Being Extracted Urgently

The police have already launched a criminal investigation regarding the failure to address the bark-beetle infestation in Banska Bystrica region, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac, who filed a criminal complaint in this connection in May, told a news conference on Monday.

President Appoints Dusan Keketi as Tourism and Sport Minister

President Zuzana Caputova appointed Dusan Keketi as Tourism and Sport Minister on Friday.

Premier: Youth in Slovakia Becoming Radicalised, Mainly Online

Young people in Slovakia are becoming radicalised, chiefly online, Premier Ludovit Odor and Interior Minister Ivan Simko told the media following a Security Council meeting on Wednesday.

Read next