Progressive Slovakia: Huliak Must Apologise to Plavakova, Court Rules

Bratislava, 24 February (TASR) - The District Court in Zvolen (Banska Bystrica region) decided on Tuesday that Tourism and Sport Minister Rudolf Huliak (Independent) must publicly apologise to opposition MP Lucia Plavakova (Progressive Slovakia/PS) for his offensive remarks made about her during a press conference in September 2024, TASR has learnt from the PS media department, adding that Huliak must also compensate the MP for non-pecuniary damage. "I see today's decision as a very important signal for society as a whole, and especially for all women who experience various forms of violence. It is a clear message that vulgarity, slander, and any form of violence have no place in our society," Plavakova said in a statement. PS chairman Michal Simecka considers the court's decision to be a victory for all women in Slovakia. "The only thing politicians like Rudolf Huliak offer is hatred and polarisation. When they run out of arguments, they start insulting women and trying to drive them out of the public space. They must not be allowed to succeed," he emphasised. The decision of the first-instance court is not yet final, as the minister may appeal, according to PS. Huliak directed vulgar words at Plavakova at a press conference held by the Slovak National Party (SNS) in September 2024, at which Parliamentary Vice-Chair Andrej Danko (SNS) defended Plavakova's expulsion from the House chamber for the stickers on her laptop. Huliak's statements were condemned by the opposition and part of the coalition. He subsequently apologised in the chamber after being called upon to do so, but again used vulgar language. am