Who works for MPs? Even relatives

Coalition MPs also consider family when choosing assistants, while the opposition looks among former state employees.

Nepotism, personal connections, or previous work relationships—these are among the reasons why many MPs of the National Council of the Slovak Republic choose their assistants. These are relatively lucrative positions: assistants earn 80 percent of an MP’s salary per month, which today is around 45,000 korunas. Every year, approximately six and a half million korunas are allocated for assistants. This system was introduced by MPs six years ago. Before that, they managed their work themselves.

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They appointed the most loyal
The previous government, especially MPs from SDKÚ-DS, used assistant positions as a way to “take care” of their most loyal supporters. Former director of the Office of the Government Viktória Jančošeková now works as an assistant to former Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda. Former finance minister Ivan Mikloš (SDKÚ-DS) is assisted by Günther Furin, who was previously an advisor at the Ministry of Finance. Former Prime Minister’s sports advisor Tokos now advises SDKÚ-DS MP Ľuboš Micheľ. KDH MP Vladimír Palko also brought his closest collaborator to parliament. His assistant is former director of the Interior Ministry office Vladimír Pčolinský, who served when Palko was interior minister.