Pellegrini to announce decision on referendum, public administration reform continues

President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini has come under the spotlight in connection with suspicions of possible illegal financing of his 2024 presidential campaign. Police confirmed to TASR that the case is being handled by the anti-corruption unit of the National Crime Agency (Úrad boja proti organizovanej kriminalite). Pellegrini published a video on his social media in which he firmly rejected accusations that he paid influencers for their support during the campaign. The president claims that he did not approach or reward anyone and considers such practices unacceptable. At the same time, he does not obstruct the investigation and believes the police will continue clarifying the case. hlavnespravy.sk ↗

Influencer Filip Jovanovič, known as Jovinečko, testified to the police and described the behind-the-scenes workings of the campaign. According to his statements, actress and influencer Zuzana Strausz Plačková allegedly offered other celebrities financial compensation for supporting Pellegrini. Jovinečko stated that Plačková offered him a sum of thirty thousand euros for supporting the president. Plačková, on the other hand, responded by claiming that the opposition party offered her larger sums. Opposition candidate Ivan Korčok demands clear explanations from Pellegrini regarding the campaign financing and warns that such matters cannot be allowed to lapse. sme.sk ↗

In mid-April, Pellegrini continues military training as part of the National Defense Forces, building on the pilot course from summer 2025, in which he is training to become a machine operator. The president also met with representatives of towns and municipalities, discussing public administration reform as a strategic issue. Pellegrini praised the proactive approach of local governments to this topic in the form of creating position papers. During the meeting, the need to amend the Constitutional Act on Budgetary Responsibility was also discussed, so that it would not cause problems in the adoption of budgets by towns, municipalities, and self-governing regions. pluska.sk ↗

On Monday, April 20, the president will announce his decision regarding the proposal to call a referendum on shortening the term of office of the current government. A referendum is declared by the President of the Slovak Republic if at least 350,000 citizens request it via petition. Pellegrini promises a clear decision on this matter. aktuality.sk ↗

Pellegrini also responded to US President Trump's criticism of Pope Francis. The president described the Pope's calls to end wars and conflicts as one of the strongest moral voices of our time and stated that his call for peace must not become a target of political attacks. Catholic bishops in Slovakia joined in supporting the Pope and rejected the criticism he faces in connection with his peace efforts. The parliamentary committee for the oversight of the Slovak Information Service did not discuss, on Wednesday, the topic of possible election influencing in connection with then-Prime Minister Pellegrini's trip to Moscow in 2020, which some members of parliament consider a serious matt hlavnespravy.sk ↗