CURRENTLY PUBLISHED! TRANSLATED CZECH, CHECKED: Opposition tightens the screws. Slovak minister may be out, Russian cameras affair and growing petition increase pressure
The Slovensko movement, together with other parliamentary parties, has submitted a motion of no confidence not only against him, but also against Minister of Economy Denisa Saková. This was announced by the head of the Slovensko - Za ľudí parliamentary group, Michal Šipoš. Their fate could therefore soon be decided at an extraordinary session of parliament.
Opposition politicians, however, speak clearly - this is not about one misstep, but about a long-term way of governing. They claim that decisions are made more in favor of political interests than in favor of ordinary people. Criticism directed at the Minister of Interior is sharp: they mention suspicious tenders, overpriced contracts, but also question marks around cash payments and financing of trips abroad.
"We don't want to recall Ministers Šutaj Eštok and Saková just because of one mistake or some mishap, but because their work at the ministries shows a way of governing in which party interests are more important than the interests of ordinary common people,"
stated Šipoš
There are also concrete objections on the table, for example the purchase of firefighting equipment, where a company with no history was supposed to have succeeded, or the case of controversial cameras, which according to the opposition represented a security risk.
Controversial cameras and radars
The smart camera and radar project is among the most discussed topics. The Ministry of the Interior planned to introduce a system that would automatically monitor traffic violations, such as speeding, running a red light or vehicle movement. A problem arose after testing of the devices showed that they contained components of Russian origin. The National Security Authority also drew attention to the risk, according to which these technologies could represent a potential cyber threat, writes HNonline.sk. The ministry therefore stopped the project and ordered the removal of the testing devices. According to findings, only two cameras were tested and they were not connected to sensitive databases nor did they evaluate violations.
Despite this, the NBÚ designated the device as a serious cyber threat and warned that it could be exploited, for example, to access data or disrupt systems. The camera system supplier subsequently returned the money and the project was halted, while denying that the device could be remotely controlled.
Security experts pointed out in particular that similar devices are typically connected to state networks and work with sensitive data, such as vehicle registration plates or car movements. If they had vulnerabilities or allowed remote access, according to critics this could lead to data misuse or unauthorized surveillance. Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok also claims that the state was misled by the supplier. However, the opposition argues that the very testing of such devices represents a failure of control mechanisms and points to insufficient vetting of the supplier.
Minister Denisa Saková (Hlas-SD) according to the movement fails to manage personnel matters in state companies and is unable to sufficiently protect the economic interests of the state. They also claim that she failed with key projects of the ministry, including targeted energy assistance.
MPs criticize her especially for controversial nominations to the supervisory board of the company Energetika Slovensko. At the same time, they reproach her for yielding to Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on the new nuclear power source project, while according to them there is a risk of significant cost increases.
The Petition is Gaining Enormous Strength
And while political pressure is mounting in parliament, pressure from below is also growing. A trio of non-governmental organizations - Nadácia Zastavme korupciu, Infosecurity.sk and Mier Ukrajine - launched a petition for the minister's resignation and it is gaining strength every day.
The organizers set a goal of 30 thousand signatures and are almost there. Currently, 28,428 people have signed it (as of 15.9.2026) and the number continues to grow. Dissatisfaction thus clearly goes beyond a narrow circle of critics and is becoming a society-wide issue.
A Threat That Triggered a Wave of Reactions
Organizations speak of a serious security failure. They base this on findings from the National Security Office, according to which the controversial devices could have posed a real risk. Their argument states that Slovakia could have been exposed to a "significant cyber threat", with the problem not only being the origin of the technology, but also the potential for its misuse. According to critics, this is a situation that goes beyond ordinary failure. They point out that the devices could have enabled remote access, which would theoretically open the door for misuse or even surveillance. NGOs therefore claim that the minister bears political responsibility regardless of whether it was intentional or negligent. They remind that it is precisely the head of the interior ministry who must guarantee the security of the state – and if such doubts arise, public trust is fundamentally undermined.
Criticism Extends Beyond One Case
NGOs also point out that this is not an isolated problem. They recall several other controversies which, according to them, call into question the functioning of the ministry. These include, for example, an unclearly explained vacation abroad, during which doubts arose about financing, as well as decisions concerning investigators whose placement outside the service raised legal questions and financial consequences for the state.
"To this day, you have not been able to satisfactorily explain the circumstances of your vacation in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which was allegedly paid for by your partner in cash, several days after your return and in five-hundred-euro banknotes, which have not been issued since 2019. Meanwhile, your partner claimed that you had saved this amount from your salaries,"
it states in the petition.
"Despite many warnings, you have illegally suspended investigators from service, for which your department is accumulating fines. Moreover, it is highly probable that due to your illegal conduct, the state will have to pay compensation to these investigators. This money will not be paid by you, but by taxpayers."
Criticism is also directed at public procurement. They mention purchases of equipment or gear where suspicions of overpricing or non-transparent conditions have emerged. Question marks also hang over the acquisition of firefighting equipment, which according to critics was supposed to show deficiencies.
"You have a series of dubious public procurements on your record, which were overpriced, or there are serious suspicions that their conditions were tailor-made for specific suppliers. These include purchases of gaming computers for 4,000 euros, clothing made from coffee beans, or the overpriced purchase of caps for police officers, which you eventually cancelled yourself,"
the petition states.
"You also failed in the purchase of fire trucks from a company without experience and history. The delivered equipment was of poor quality, which the firefighters themselves complained about, deliveries were significantly delayed, and the entire purchase was non-transparent, as you kept its circumstances secret,"
is stated in the petition.
Added to this are also reservations about the results in the fight against corruption and tax fraud. NGOs claim that after organizational changes, the ministry is lagging behind in this area. Doubts about compliance with rules during the presidential campaign are also mentioned, which according to them further undermine trust in state institutions.
"In the presidential election in 2024, you led a campaign as a third party, which the law prohibits. While in similar cases, the district office subordinate to you ruled on a violation of the law, in your case it dismissed the matter, which raises serious suspicions that it was a politically influenced decision. The office is currently facing a lawsuit from the prosecutor's office and the court will decide,"
states the petition.
Minister: The Ministry Was Deceived
However, the minister himself denies any intentional wrongdoing. He claims that the ministry became a victim of misleading information from the supplier. According to his words, after the NBÚ analysis, they immediately terminated cooperation with the company that was supposed to supply the camera system, and are also preparing legal action, writes the portal Noviny.sk.
He admitted that components from Russia appeared in the equipment, which could have posed a risk, however, he emphasizes that it was only a testing phase and the system was not supposed to be deployed in live operation. At the same time, he announced that personnel responsibility would be enforced.
Fico and Danko defend him
Prime Minister Robert Fico, who supported the minister, has a different view. He rejects the idea that Slovakia is facing a real security threat. According to him, it is exaggerated to claim that several testing cameras can pose a threat to the state, and he also relativizes the origin of individual components, writes Pravda.sk.
"I don't think Slovakia's security would be threatened by two cameras,"
stated Robert Fico at a press conference.
The chairman of SNS, Andrej Danko, expressed himself similarly, not expecting that the case would lead to the minister's departure. However, he pointed out that if it were to happen, it could destabilize the entire government, because the whole Hlas party would likely stand behind their leader.
On the contrary, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Rudolf Huliak, took a much sharper tone. He described the entire procurement process as a serious failure and speaks of "botched work" that has no place in the state. According to him, it is unacceptable for technologies with potential security risks to enter the system, and he demands clear accountability from specific individuals.
The Question of Political Accountability
The entire situation increasingly resembles a broader political conflict. On one side stands the pressure from non-governmental organizations and part of the public, on the other the defense from government representatives. The question remains whether the petition will bring real political consequences, or will remain merely a symbol of dissatisfaction.
What is certain, however, is that the topic of security, transparency and trust in state institutions is once again coming to the center of attention—and this time much more intensely than before.
The initiators emphasize that the goal is not only to draw attention to a specific case, but also to ensure that the case can be independently investigated without any doubts about political influence.
