Juraj Blanár Explained

Birth Date:19 May 1966
Birth Place:Žilina, Czechoslovakia
(now Slovakia)
Party:Direction – Social Democracy
Children:3
Office1:Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
Termstart1:25 October 2023
Primeminister1:Robert Fico
Predecessor1:Miroslav Wlachovský
Office2:Deputy Speaker of the National Council
Termstart2:21 October 2020
Termend2:25 October 2023
Alongside2:Gábor Grendel, Milan Laurenčík and Juraj Šeliga
1Blankname2:Speaker
1Namedata2:Boris Kollár
Office3:Member of the National Council
Termstart4:15 October 2002
Termend4:4 July 2006
Termstart3:8 July 2010
Termend3:25 October 2023
Office5:Governor of Žilina Region
Termstart5:2005
Termend5:2017
Predecessor5:Jozef Tarčák
Successor5:Erika Jurinová
Alma Mater:University of Žilina (Ing.)

Juraj Blanár (born 16 May 1966) is a Slovak politician. He is currently the minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia.

He served as a member of the National Council from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2010 to 2023. From 2020 to 2023 he was a Deputy Speaker of the National Council.[1] Between 2005 and 2017 he served as the governor of the Žilina Region.[2] He is a member of the Direction – Social Democracy party.

Early life

Juraj Blanár was born on 16 May 1966 in Žilina. He studied at the University of Žilina.[3] Before starting his political career, Blanár worked for the construction company Váhostav in his hometown.

Political positions

Foreign policy

Regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Blanár opposes military help for Ukraine and supports improving diplomatic relations with Russia. He was one of the few Slovak MPs who did not vote for a parliamentary resolution condemning Russian killings of Ukrainian civilians passed after the Bucha massacre.[4]

In 2022, then Foreign Affairs minister of Slovakia Ivan Korčok accused Blanár of supporting Russian conquest of Ukraine.

In January 2022, Blanár strongly opposed the defense agreement with the United States, arguing that it will eventually lead to US bases on Slovak soil.

Social issues

Blanár is pro-life and supported initiatives aimed at reducing access to adoption in Slovakia.[5]

In March 2023, on the question of closure of shops on Sundays, Blanár spoke in favour of the ban with conditions.[6]

Personal life

Blanár is married and has three children.

References

  1. Web site: 2020-10-21 . Poslanci zvolili Blanára za podpredsedu parlamentu . 2022-10-28 . Pravda.sk . sk-SK.
  2. Web site: TA3 . TA3 COM TELEVÍZIA . Blanár v Žiline skončil, kraj povedie historicky prvá županka . 2022-10-28 . TA3 . 5 November 2017 . sk.
  3. Web site: Juraj Blanár (SMER-SD, ĽS-HZDS, SNS, HZD, Zelení, SF), kandidát na župana v Žilinskom kraji . domov.sme.sk . sk.
  4. Web site: Kým Rusi vraždili v Buči, on bol s ich veľvyslancom, a kým úradník sedí, on si užíva luxus. Kto je Juraj Blanár . Aktuality.sk . 20 October 2023 . sk . 20 October 2023.
  5. Web site: Kekelák . Lukáš . Nový minister zahraničia Juraj Blanár / Mierotvorca, ktorý sa v boji s progresívcami zastal aj arcibiskupa Oroscha . www.postoj.sk . 20 October 2023 . sk.
  6. Web site: Baran . Michal . 2023-03-26 . Blanár zahlasuje za zákaz nedeľného predaja . 2023-03-26 . Správy RTVS . sk-SK.