“We Might Consider Leaving the EU”: Who Is Tibor Gašpar, Fico’s senior security expert, Father of Slovakia’s Intelligence Chief, and Criminally Indicted, Pro-Kremlin National Council Vice Chairman? A Profile.

Source: TASR

Tibor Gašpar, Vice-Chairman of Slovakia’s National Council and a senior figure in SMER-SD, has sparked outrage by openly suggesting that Slovakia could leave the European Union and NATO. Speaking on national television on 17 January 2025, he described such a move as an “extreme solution” but insisted that any decision to exit should follow a referendum process. His remarks have been widely condemned as reckless and harmful, with opposition parties, civil society, and even coalition partner Hlas warning that such rhetoric endangers Slovakia’s security and geopolitical stability.

Gašpar’s statement is consistent with his track record. As Police Corps President, he was central to a system of corruption and criminal collusion that compromised Slovakia’s law enforcement. He leaked sensitive police data to Marian Kočner, a key figure implicated in the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée. Forced to resign under public pressure in 2018, Gašpar entered politics, where he championed reforms that dismantled anti-corruption institutions and protected political elites, including himself, from legal scrutiny. His recent remarks, coupled with his role in fostering closer ties with Russia, signal a dangerous departure from Slovakia’s commitments to Western democratic values.


Indicted Vice-Chairman of Parliament Questions Slovakia’s Place in Europe

Tibor Gašpar, Vice-Chairman of the Slovak National Council and a senior figure in the SMER-SD party, has sparked a storm of controversy by publicly suggesting that Slovakia should not rule out the possibility of withdrawing from the European Union and NATO. Speaking during a televised broadcast on 17 January 2025, Gašpar framed his remarks as a response to the opposition SaS party’s proposal to constitutionally guarantee Slovakia’s membership in these institutions. His provocative comments come as he remains under indictment on serious criminal charges, including allegations of establishing, orchestrating, and supporting a criminal group, corruption offences, and abuse of power in public office. The remarks have provoked widespread condemnation both domestically and internationally, intensifying scrutiny of Gašpar’s controversial political career.


Early Career and Police Leadership
Tibor Gašpar’s career in law enforcement has been overshadowed by serious allegations of corruption and collusion with organised crime. During his tenure as President of the Slovak Police Corps (2012-2018), Gašpar was accused of being part of an organised crime group that maintained direct ties with political elites. He was also implicated in leaking sensitive police database information about journalists to criminal entities, including Marian Kočner, a businessman suspected of ordering the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée. These actions severely undermined public trust in law enforcement and contributed to widespread calls for his resignation, which ultimately occurred in 2018 amidst public protests following the Kuciak murder.


A leaked police database document profiling journalist Miroslav Kern, part of the unlawful access to sensitive data on 28 journalists during Tibor Gašpar’s tenure as Police Corps President. Officially linked to an unrelated investigation, the profiling has been alleged to serve surveillance and intimidation purposes, raising serious concerns about press freedom and the misuse of state power under Gašpar’s leadership.

From left to right: Tibor Gašpar, then Police Corps President; Robert Fico, then Prime Minister; and Robert Kaliňák, then Minister of Interior, at a press conference in 2018. The image shows one million euros in cash offered as a reward for information on the murders of journalist Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová. The handling of the case and the reward sparked public outrage and raised questions about transparency and accountability. The controversial cash display and its legal mechanism were heavily criticised.

Transition to Politics
After leaving the police, Gašpar transitioned to politics under the banner of SMER-SD. Elected to the National Council in 2023, he quickly assumed prominent roles, including Vice-Chairman of the Council and Chairman of its Defence and Security Committee. In 2024, Gašpar played a central role in shaping and passing a controversial amendment to Slovakia’s Criminal Code under the Fico government. The reform included the abolition of the Special Prosecutor’s Office responsible for handling high-level corruption cases and reduced penalties for serious crimes, including corruption. These changes were widely criticised for decriminalising offences associated with many of Fico’s former associates and were seen as a direct attempt to undermine ongoing investigations. Gašpar himself proposed changes that reduced sentencing ranges for corruption, potentially benefiting individuals facing legal scrutiny, including himself. The amendments prompted significant domestic protests and drew sharp criticism from the European Union, which raised concerns about their impact on the rule of law in Slovakia. In his parliamentary roles, Gašpar has influenced Slovakia’s defence and security policies, often steering them in directions that critics argue compromise national interests in favour of external actors.

Ties to Russia
Controversial Ties to RussiaGašpar’s political career has been marked by frequent interactions with Russian officials, raising concerns about his alignment with Kremlin interests. He hosted Russian Ambassador Igor Bratchikov to discuss cybersecurity shortly after Slovakia faced bomb threats classified as cyber incidents, a move that heightened suspicions of undue Russian influence. In January 2025, he led a parliamentary delegation to Moscow, where public statements downplayed Russia’s international isolation and praised its resilience. Critics view these actions as part of a broader pattern of Slovak politicians undermining EU and NATO efforts to counter Russian aggression in Ukraine.

From left: Ján Mažgút, Tibor Gašpar, Richard Glück in Moscow | Source: Richard Glück | Facebook
Tibor Gašpar, Vice-Chairman of the Slovak National Council, Chairman of the National Council’s Defence and Security Committee, and father of Slovakia’s intelligence chief Pavol Gašpar, and Ľuboš Blaha, Vice-Chairman of Slovakia’s SMER party and a Member of the European Parliament, are seen in a friendly embrace with the Russian Ambassador to Slovakia, Igor Bratchikov, in 2024.
Tibor Gašpar is with Russian Ambassador Bratchikov in the Slovak National Council building | Facebook of the Russian Embasy in Bratislava

Family Connections and Intelligence Oversight
Gašpar’s influence extends into Slovakia’s intelligence sector through his son, Pavol Gašpar, the Director of the Slovak Information Service (SIS). This familial link has drawn scrutiny, with critics questioning whether Slovakia’s intelligence services remain impartial. Allegations of political misuse of SIS resources have persisted, with concerns that the agency’s priorities are shaped more by political loyalty than by national security needs.

Views on Slovakia’s Foreign Policy
Gašpar has been an outspoken critic of Slovakia’s integration into Western structures. His rhetoric often mirrors broader SMER-SD narratives, which emphasise scepticism of Western policies while promoting closer ties with Russia. Such positions have provoked widespread criticism for undermining Slovakia’s commitments to its international allies.

From left to right: Intelligence Chief Pavol Gašpar, Robert Fico, and Pavol’s father, Tibor Gašpar | Source: Pavol Gašpar | Facebook

Recent Controversy Over Remarks on EU and NATO Membership
Tibor Gašpar sparked widespread criticism after suggesting the possibility of Slovakia exiting the European Union and NATO during a television broadcast on 17 January 2025. His remarks, framed as a response to the opposition SaS party’s proposal to enshrine Slovakia’s membership in these organisations into the Constitution, described such a scenario as an “extreme solution” but noted that Slovakia’s participation in the EU and NATO was subject to change over time. Gašpar argued that any decision to leave should follow the same referendum process through which Slovakia initially joined.

The comments drew immediate backlash from both domestic and international observers. President Peter Pellegrini publicly reaffirmed Slovakia’s unwavering commitment to the EU and NATO by referencing the 2024 Memorandum on Foreign Policy, signed by the highest constitutional officials. Additionally, the opposition and coalition partner Hlas strongly condemned the statement, emphasising that Slovakia’s membership in these organisations is vital for national security, economic stability, and geopolitical alignment. Michaela Eliášová, the spokesperson for Hlas, dismissed any discussion of exiting the EU or NATO as reckless and contrary to Slovakia’s strategic interests.

Political and Public Reactions
Opposition parties, including Progresívne Slovensko (PS) and KDH, accused Gašpar and the SMER-SD party of using divisive rhetoric to distract from domestic governance failures. PS leader Michal Šimečka warned that such statements undermine Slovakia’s stability and international credibility. KDH characterised Gašpar’s remarks as evidence of a fracturing coalition, further highlighting their inconsistency with the government’s official programme declaration. Civil society actors, such as the “Mier Ukrajine” initiative, joined the chorus of condemnation, organising protests to assert Slovakia’s position as an integral part of the European community.

Context and Implications
Gašpar’s statement followed a high-profile visit to Moscow on 12 January 2025, during which he led a delegation of SMER-SD and SNS politicians. This visit is part of a broader pattern of increasing Slovak engagement with Russia under Robert Fico’s government. In December 2024, Prime Minister Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, officially to discuss energy matters. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár has frequently met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, often more than his Western counterparts. Additionally, Ľuboš Blaha, Vice-Chairman of SMER and an MEP, attended the 2024 BRICS summit in Sochi, where he met Dmitry Medvedev and openly advocated for “Slavic mutuality.” These interactions, combined with Gašpar’s remarks, have heightened concerns about Slovakia’s foreign policy trajectory and alignment with Moscow. Critics argue that this trend undermines Slovakia’s commitments to EU and NATO values, raising serious questions about its strategic positioning amidst ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine.