The Smer party in Slovakia is embroiled in a conflict with Attorney General Maroš Žilinka over his critiques of the government and the absence of a lifetime pension that was proposed but vetoed by the president.
In August 2024, Smer politician Daniel Karas proposed a generous lifetime pension for the Attorney General, which would be accessible after just four years in office, despite a full term being seven years. This proposal was ultimately vetoed by the president, leaving the objective unimplemented. Recently, this issue resurfaced as Žilinka publicly criticized the government's actions, leading Smer to claim that such criticism stemmed from his frustration over not receiving the pension.
Žilinka's criticisms intensified when he revealed alarming results of the government's fight against corruption early in February, labeling them as catastrophic. In response, Smer issued a press release accusing Žilinka of acting out of frustration and harming the Slovak Republic due to the lack of the promised lifetime pension. The statement included a notable remark from party vice-chairman Erik Kaliňák, who suggested Žilinka's actions were a petty revenge against the government for not granting him the pension.
The conflict illustrates a deeper political tension in Slovakia, where the lack of financial security for the Attorney General is highlighted as a factor behind his critical stance towards the government. Smer's rhetoric hints at a strategy to undermine Žilinka's credibility by portraying his criticisms as personal grievances rather than legitimate concerns about governance and corruption. This situation raises questions about the political dynamics in Slovakia and the relationship between government branches and their officials, particularly in the context of accountability and corruption fighting efforts.
