Rudolf Huliak

Huliak repeatedly denied the existence of climate change. According to Huliak, the increasing temperatures are caused by incorrect measurement. He refers to European Green Deal as an act of terrorism. He also argued that the decrease of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere might make the air "explosive and unsuitable for humans". (This is not true; the level of CO₂ is irrelevant for fire ignition; the level of oxygen is relevant, but human activity has negligible impact on this much more common gas.) In a TV show, Huliak demonstrated the beneficent qualities of carbon dioxide by exhaling cigar smoke on a plant in a terrarium, claiming the plant good condition proves that CO₂ is good for nature. (The CO2 fertilization effect is real, but the effects of rapid climate change are both good and bad, including the extinction of many species.) He often posts picture of animals hunted by himself, including bears, on his social media channels.^[4]

Huliak is strongly pro-Russian. The National Coalition campaigned in the 2023 election for Slovakia's exit from the European Union and Nato.^[13] After the election, Huliak said the Slovak prime minister should travel to Moscow and beg Vladimir Putin to forgive Slovakia for supporting Ukraine in Russian invasion of Ukraine.^[3] In 2024, he argued Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, should end the conflict in Očová over a bowl of his goulash.^[4] One of his first meetings as the minister of sport was with the Russian ambassador. After the meeting Huliak said all restrictions for Russian athletes in international competitions should be lifted.^[14]

In 2024, Huliak referred to the Progressive Slovakia MP Lucia Plaváková as a "bitch" for supporting abortion. He later refused to apologize, claiming that he did not mean to cause offense as he has respect for female dogs and that such words were commonly used to refer to attractive females in his youth.^[15][16]

In a statement as Sports Minister, Huliak argued for reintroducing conscription in Slovakia because Viktor Orbán wore a scarf depicting Greater Hungary, which included Slovakia. He stated: "The issue of revising the Trianon borders also arises. In several cities, the Hungarian state is buying up historical buildings. I hope they are aware of the security situation within Slovakia. These are all signs that we should address".