Prime Minister Robert Fico’s recent remarks on deploying Slovakia’s intelligence agencies in response to political disputes have reignited concerns about his influence over these institutions. Particular attention has been drawn to the Slovak Information Service (SIS), headed by Pavol Gašpar, whose appointment and close ties to Fico spotlight the controversial dynamics within Slovakia’s intelligence operations.
Fico’s Statements and the Legal Framework
In late October, Robert Fico publicly stated that he would utilise intelligence services if evidence emerged of political trading involving three MPs associated with Rudolf Huliak. These MPs, having distanced themselves from the Slovak National Party (SNS), were demanding a ministerial portfolio and representation on the coalition council. Fico warned, “If I receive information about dealings, I will deploy all intelligence services.” Such rhetoric has been criticised for undermining democratic norms, particularly as intelligence agencies are bound by strict legal mandates to focus solely on national security, organised crime, and similar threats.
Slovak law explicitly limits the Prime Minister’s authority over intelligence services. While the SIS director is required to provide requested information, operational decisions remain the responsibility of the agency’s leadership. Fico’s comments, therefore, raise concerns about his interpretation of these limits and his willingness to blur legal and ethical boundaries in the pursuit of political objectives.
Fico, Gašpar, and the Shadow Over Slovak Intelligence Services
Central to the concerns about intelligence operations is Pavol Gašpar, the director of the Slovak Information Service. He has been widely criticised as emblematic of the politicisation of Slovakia’s intelligence agencies. Gašpar, closely tied to Fico, is the son of Tibor Gašpar, a SMER-SD MP and former Police Corps President accused of sharing sensitive police data with criminals, including Marian Kočner, who is charged with ordering the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and suspected of surveilling other journalists. These ties raise serious questions about the SIS’s independence under Pavol Gašpar’s leadership.
Gašpar’s appointment has drawn further scrutiny due to allegations that SIS operations under his leadership have been used to serve political interests. This concern was heightened when Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok revealed that SIS had prepared a report on an alleged assassination attempt on Fico in May 2023. Eštok initially stated that the request for the report came directly from Fico, though he later retracted his claim. Fico also denied ordering the report. However, the incident has fuelled suspicions that the SIS has been compromised to address politically motivated tasks rather than adhering strictly to its legal mandate.
Broader Implications for Rule of Law
Fico’s remarks and his apparent influence over intelligence services like SIS reveal systemic vulnerabilities in Slovakia’s governance. While the Prime Minister has denied any improper interference, his statements suggest a willingness to utilise state institutions for political ends, a practice fundamentally at odds with the principles of a democratic society. As long as intelligence agencies remain susceptible to political pressure, their ability to function as neutral protectors of national security will be called into question.
The case of Pavol Gašpar stands as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by political appointments in sensitive state institutions. His close alignment with Fico and the circumstances of his rise to the SIS leadership illustrate the ongoing struggle to maintain the independence and integrity of Slovakia’s intelligence services in the face of political influence.
Source: Miro Kern | Denník N
