A proud Košice native – that is how one might briefly describe Igor Šimko (HLAS-SD), a Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic. He not only carries his region in his heart, but also strives to help it through concrete actions. His current key regional initiative is the project “I’m Listening to You,” within which he travels across municipalities and holds discussions with local residents.
Do these meetings reveal any common thread?
What can be heard from every corner of the Košice Region is, unfortunately, dissatisfaction. People no longer want to wait for change in their region. They simply want to live better – here and now. They do not want empty words, but concrete solutions where they live. That is the common thread in the views I hear. There have been plenty of promises and partially completed projects – but very little has actually been delivered.
Do mainly your supporters attend these meetings, or do critics come as well? And are the discussions constructive, or do they sometimes become emotional?
The “I’m Listening to You” initiative is my personal project, not a party initiative. I meet a wide range of people with different views – from residents of housing estates and villages to young people, families, seniors, volunteer firefighters, and mayors. I do not try to convince them of my own truth; I listen to them, regardless of their political affiliation. I welcome discussions with critics, especially when they are constructive. And when someone’s stance is more emotional, I try to understand what lies behind it. I value the trust of anyone who shares their concerns with me. I make a note of them and then look for solutions, whether in the National Council or through ministries.
Have these discussions brought up any major issues that you had not previously considered but now plan to address?
A public survey, as well as a representative poll conducted as part of the initiative, confirmed that many people are concerned about basic issues that should be taken for granted in a 21st-century region. We need to realize that the Košice Region is not just Košice and its surroundings, but also more remote areas that require priority attention. In some places, people still lack access to basic services – food supply, healthcare within a reasonable distance, sewage systems, running drinking water, or accessible jobs, which often require commuting to district or regional centers. There is little point discussing the color of the roof if the foundations are not solid – we cannot talk about digitalization if we do not even have basic infrastructure like sewage systems. That is one of the key insights for me. People in Bratislava simply do not see this reality.
Your proposal to amend the Act on the City of Košice, which would reduce the current 22 city districts to just four, has sparked intense debate. You have now submitted an amendment introducing a referendum, with changes to take effect from 2030. What options will people be deciding on, and what happens if the referendum fails?
The problem of inefficient territorial division has troubled Košice for decades. A significant amount of money that could serve citizens is instead spent on maintaining 22 local administrations, hundreds of council members, and their bureaucratic structures. Discussions at the city level have led nowhere for years, with local leaders blocking progress. That is why we decided to address the issue at the parliamentary level. Our proposal includes a safeguard to prevent further delays – reducing the number of districts to four based on the current administrative divisions. However, this would only take effect if a city-wide referendum fails or if citizens reject an alternative proposal put forward by the city. The city itself decides what proposal it will submit to the referendum. In this way, our proposal respects both the needs of the city and those of its residents.
When we spoke last September, you did not yet want to comment on whether you would run in this year’s regional elections. Have you made a decision?
I am still considering it carefully. The key criterion for me is whether, as regional governor, I would be able to meet the needs of the people of the Košice Region. That is why I am gathering feedback through the “I’m Listening to You” initiative, communicating intensively with citizens, and seeking solutions. I will make my decision and announce it only when I am ready to present a credible set of solutions. Opinion polls show that people trust me, but I do not want to be guided by illusions. I want to verify the real issues in our region directly from the people. The region should be shaped by its citizens, not by lobbyists or by projects driven solely by access to EU funds or public money without proper consideration.
CV BOX
Igor Šimko (born July 8, 1988) is a Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic for HLAS-SD.
He graduated from the BERG Faculty of the Technical University of Košice (earning MSc and PhD degrees) and later obtained an MBA from the European School of Business and Management in Prague.
He was a member of the BERG Faculty’s scientific council, but since 2012 he has worked in the National Council – first as an MP’s assistant, later as an advisor. In his own words, he has been involved in politics indirectly since 2005, when he “helped those who are at the very top today.”
He was elected MP for HLAS-SD in 2023. He chairs the Commission for Energy and is also a member of the Committee on Economic Affairs and the Committee on Agriculture and the Environment.
He enjoys traveling, is married, and has an eight-year-old son with his wife Zuzana.
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