The Slovak Government Office, under Juraj Gedra, has sparked outrage by proposing to remove Holocaust denial and other core aspects of antisemitism from the National Strategy on Extremism. While the Office retracted these changes after public outcry, the proposals, which could not have been submitted without Gedra’s direct signature, also include downplaying far-right violence, such as the 2022 murder of two LGBTQIA+ individuals in Bratislava, and eliminating references to “self-defending democracy,” a principle rooted in the idea that democracies cannot tolerate ideologies seeking to dismantle democracy itself. Critics warn these moves reflect a deliberate ideological shift aligned with pro-Kremlin policies, undermining protections for marginalised communities and weakening Slovakia’s democratic resilience.
The Slovak Government Office has faced criticism after suggesting changes to the definition of antisemitism in its submission to the “Concept for the Prevention and Combat of Radicalisation and Extremism by 2028.” The Office proposed removing references to Holocaust denial and other elements from the definition, prompting backlash from civil society and the Slovak Jewish Union. Following public pressure, the Office withdrew the proposed changes and attributed the incident to “human error.”
Juraj Gedra, the director of the Slovak Government Office, is a member of Robert Fico’s political party and part of his inner circle. Gedra’s political career began as a coordinator of fake commenters, organising teams that used false identities to manipulate online discussions and amplify Smer’s narratives. As a leader of the party’s youth wing, he distributed instructions detailing which articles to comment on, what arguments to use, and how to promote positive messaging about Smer and its leadership.
He has since been linked to high-profile controversies, including public procurement scandals, such as the awarding of multimillion-euro contracts to politically connected firms. His tenure has also been marked by confrontational behaviour towards journalists and civil society, including incidents where he personally confronted reporters and activists over critical coverage. Gedra’s management decisions, such as dismantling government teams focused on hybrid threats and strategic communication, have drawn scrutiny for their alignment with the party’s broader agenda.
What Was Proposed—and Why It Matters
As part of the consultation process for the Concept, the Slovak Government Office initially proposed removing the following points from the definition of antisemitism:
- Holocaust denial: Denying the fact, scale, mechanisms (e.g., gas chambers), or intent of the genocide of Jews by National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II.
- Denial of Jewish self-determination: Claiming that the existence of the State of Israel is a manifestation of racist efforts.
- Comparison of Israeli policies to Nazi policies: Comparing contemporary Israeli policies to those of Nazi Germany.
Statement by the Slovak Jewish Union
The Slovak Jewish Union issued a response questioning the authenticity of the proposal and requesting an official explanation from the Government Office. The statement read:
This report is so shocking and absurd that we question its authenticity. Therefore, we demand a statement from the Slovak Government Office. According to reports published in the media and on social networks, the Slovak Government Office suggested removing Holocaust denial from the definition of antisemitism as part of the consultation process on the Concept for the Prevention and Combat of Radicalisation and Extremism by 2028.
Human Error: Director Deflects Responsibility
The Government Office later issued a clarification, attributing the proposal to an error during the submission process. The official statement read:
Regarding the circulating information about the Concept for the Prevention and Combat of Radicalisation and Extremism by 2028, an error occurred during the submission of the Slovak Government Office’s comments on the Slov-Lex portal due to human error. This mistake has now been corrected. We apologise for the error.
All official submissions from the Government Office require the explicit approval and signature of its director, Juraj Gedra. This procedural requirement makes it implausible that the proposed changes were unintentional errors. Instead, the submissions suggest a deliberate attempt to introduce an ideological shift into official policy, particularly in relation to the treatment of antisemitism and extremism.
Beyond Proposed Changes to the Definition of Antisemitism
In addition to its attempt to remove key elements defining antisemitism, the Government Office, led by Juraj Gedra, has proposed other changes that remain part of the consultation process. These include reframing the 2022 Bratislava attack, in which two LGBTQIA+ individuals were murdered, by dismissing its links to white supremacist ideologies and militant extremism as speculative. This proposal undermines the broader context of radicalisation and minimises the systemic nature of far-right violence.
Another unresolved proposal aims to remove references to the term “defending democracy” from the strategy. The term, rooted in philosopher Karl Popper’s concept of the “paradox of tolerance,” holds that democracies cannot be tolerant of ideologies that aim to dismantle democracy itself. This principle has gained international traction, particularly in addressing the rise of populism, right-wing extremism, and Russian-backed interference campaigns. Critics argue that eliminating such language from state policy aligns with a broader, creeping shift in Slovak governance under a pro-Kremlin administration, signalling a troubling erosion of democratic resilience.
The Slovak Media Monitor is making the original document, which still contains the contentious proposal to dilute Holocaust recognition, available for download in its unaltered form.
