Slovak PM's secret Moscow trip sparks luxury Vietnam stay mystery
Two weeks ago, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico flew to Moscow under mysterious circumstances for a meeting with Putin. The manner in which he traveled remains unclear, as government planes are still parked at the airport. Interestingly, since then, his whereabouts remain unknown. According to media reports, he is likely vacationing at a luxury hotel in Vietnam.
Since his visit to the Kremlin, Fico has been posting only videos on social media. The latest one appeared on Thursday. Slovakia's Prime Minister mentioned that Slovakia will lose 500 million euros (approximately 515 million USD) annually due to transit fees because of President Volodymyr Zelensky's decision to stop Russian gas deliveries through Ukraine. He also threatened to halt electricity supplies to Ukraine.
In the recording, he is sitting in front of a window with curtains drawn tightly. To his right, part of a TV screen in an ornate frame and a table with a telephone are visible. A reader from Slovakia's "Denník N" determined that the video was recorded inside the luxury hotel "Capella Hanoi" in Vietnam's capital.
According to "Denník N," Fico is staying in the most luxurious suite of this hotel - on the seventh floor. The suite, as calculated by the Slovak newspaper, covers an area of 2,088 square feet. Its windows offer views of Con Coc Garden, the old quarter in Hanoi, and Le Phung Hieu Street.
One night costs more than half of Fico's salary
One night in this luxury costs 6,203 euros (around 6,400 USD). Meanwhile, Prime Minister Fico's salary - even after a raise, as the newspaper notes - is 11,200 euros (about 11,500 USD). "It is not clear how many nights Fico has spent in the luxury suite," added "Denník N."
Journalists decided to call the hotel and requested a connection to Fico's room, which the receptionist connected without any issue. It was shortly after 8:30 PM local time, and no one picked up the phone. The receptionist advised the journalists to try calling later.
The Prime Minister's Office does not answer questions about Fico's whereabouts. Additionally, it hasn't issued any official statement regarding his trip to Moscow.
The leader of the opposition party Progressive Slovakia, Michal Šimečka, sarcastically noted that the Prime Minister is enjoying luxury "befitting a social democrat," thus sending a lovely New Year's message to Slovaks, who have been paying higher VAT since January, affecting price increases.
- For himself, papal travels and lifetime pensions; for the people, expense and chaos. Very well, Mr. Prime Minister, we will ensure that all your disappointed voters are aware of this - said Šimečka, who called on the prime minister to explain how much he is paying for such luxuries and whether his salary suffices for it.
