Opposition Describes President's Decision on Gaspar's Accident as Mockery

Bratislava, 5 March (TASR) - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party considers President Peter Pellegrini's decision to fine Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) head Pavol Gaspar with a 15-percent salary deduction for a traffic accident to be a mockery of the public, while the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party stated that Gaspar "must be having a great laugh", TASR reported on Thursday. The opposition parties say that Pellegrini has downplayed the case, with SaS adding that it's unacceptable to see the president "making a martyr" out of the SIS head. "I believe that he's absolutely failed in terms of facts and public expectations,"stated SaS leader Branislav Groehling at a press conference. "The president has essentially buried his head in the sand. He had a choice to stand with those who abide by the law, follow the rules, pay taxes and want to live in and build this country, and he was able to choose the other side," said Groehling, adding that given "an annual salary exceeding €100,000", a 15-percent deduction from a single month's pay is a mockery. SaS Vice-chair Maria Kolikova pointed out that the accident involved more than just speeding. "The public was outraged by his behaviour towards the other participants after the accident," she said, noting that the case also brought to light Gaspar's tattoo depicting a mafia movie character. As responsibility for the accident remains unconfirmed, Kolikova stated that it shouldn't be downplayed as a minor speeding offence, exceeding the limit by a few kilometres per hour. Echoing these views, Progressive Slovakia claimed that the head of state was "making fun" of the public. "The SIS head, driving a toy-like yellow car not included in his property declaration, overtook where he shouldn't have, put a family in danger and then arrogantly insulted everyone around. Now he's been handed a pay cut of 15-percent for one month by a president who took nearly six months to assess the case. A man whose salary and bonuses reach tens of thousands of euros must be having a great laugh now," responded PS, adding that Gaspar, the son of the accused [House Vice-chair] Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD), should never have been appointed as secret service head. Earlier on Thursday, President Peter Pellegrini announced that he's concluded disciplinary proceedings against Gaspar, imposing a 15-percent salary deduction for a period of one month. The president added that he saw no reason to take further action in connection with a motion filed by the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party. Gaspar was involved in a traffic accident on Dobsinskeho Street in Nitra on 30 August 2025, when two vehicles collided. Both participants in the traffic accident underwent breathalyser tests for alcohol with negative results. The president, as an authority superior to the SIS head, launched the disciplinary proceedings in January. jrg/df