Student's handshake snub sparks political storm in Slovakia
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico responded emotionally to an incident involving a 19-year-old student who publicly refused to shake hands with President Peter Pellegrini. "The president made a mistake by saying he respects the student. There is nothing to respect here," wrote the politician.
Nineteen-year-old Simon Omanik was awarded on Tuesday for winning a bronze medal in the Central European Mathematics Olympiad. The president of Slovakia presented the award. As he later explained, the teenager did not shake the head of state's hand because Pellegrini "deceived and lied to people" during the election campaign. Omanik was dressed in a suit with a ribbon in Ukrainian colors.
Fico commented on the incident on social media. "Anti-state and anti-government media are applauding the student with all their might. His refusal to shake hands is supposedly an example of resistance..." Fico began his post.
"Someone here needs three slaps. I'd start with the anti-state media. And now, a life lesson. If, as a student, I complained at home that a teacher was pulling my hair, my mom would give me two more slaps, because the teacher always deserved respect and was right," wrote the head of the Slovak government.
"The president made a mistake by saying he respects the student. There is nothing to respect here," Fico concluded his post.
He did not shake hands with the president. A storm in Slovakia
President Pellegrini was surprised by the student's demonstration. He only reacted with a slight smile and continued the ceremony.
Omanik's behavior attracted considerable attention from Slovak media, reminding readers that actress Zdena Studenkova refused to accept an award from Pellegrini, protesting against cultural changes introduced by the government.
Source: fakt.pl
