Juraj Blanár
{{Short description|Slovak politician (born 1966)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{BLP sources|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Juraj Blanár
| image = Minister zahraničných vecí Juraj Blanár.jpg
| caption = Blanár in 2023
| image_size =
| order =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|5|19|df=y}}
| birth_place = Žilina, Czechoslovakia
(now Slovakia)
| party = Direction – Social Democracy
| education =
| spouse = Viera Blanárová
| children = 3
| signature =
| office1 = Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
| termstart1 = 25 October 2023
| primeminister1 = Robert Fico
| predecessor1 = Miroslav Wlachovský
| termend1 =
| 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 the 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. Blanár was a Deputy Speaker of the National Council from 2020 until 2023.{{Cite web|title=Poslanci zvolili Blanára za podpredsedu parlamentu |url=https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/566432-poslanci-zvolili-blanara-za-podpredsedu-parlamentu/|website=Pravda|date=21 October 2020|access-date=28 October 2023|language=sk}} Between 2005 and 2017 he served as the governor of the Žilina Region.{{Cite web|title=Blanár v Žiline skončil, kraj povedie historicky prvá županka|url=https://www.ta3.com/clanok/114746/blanar-v-ziline-skoncil-kraj-povedie-historicky-prva-zupanka|website=TA3|date=5 November 2017|language=sk}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Juraj Blanár (SMER-SD, ĽS-HZDS, SNS, HZD, Zelení, SF), kandidát na župana v Žilinskom kraji|url=https://domov.sme.sk/c/5038320/juraj-blanar-smer-sd-ls-hzds-sns-hzd-zeleni-sf-kandidat-na-zupana-v-zilinskom-kraji.html|website=Sme|publisher=Petit Press|language=sk}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Kým Rusi vraždili v Buči, on bol s ich veľvyslancom, a kým úradník sedí, on si užíva luxus. Kto je Juraj Blanár|url=https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/NUexvJJ/kym-rusi-vrazdili-v-buci-on-bol-s-ich-velvyslancom-a-kym-uradnik-sedi-on-si-uziva-luxus-kto-je-juraj-blanar/|website=Aktuality.sk|publisher=Ringier Axel Springier Slovakia|date=20 October 2023|language=sk}}
In 2022, then Foreign Affairs minister of Slovakia Ivan Korčok accused Blanár of supporting Russian conquest of Ukraine. Blanár later 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 abortion in Slovakia.{{Cite web|first=Lukáš|last=Kekelák|title=Nový minister zahraničia Juraj Blanár / Mierotvorca, ktorý sa v boji s progresívcami zastal aj arcibiskupa Oroscha|url=https://www.postoj.sk/140180/mierotvorca-ktory-sa-v-boji-s-progresivcami-zastal-aj-arcibiskupa-oroscha|website=Postoj|access-date=20 October 2023|language=sk}}
In March 2023, on the question of closure of shops on Sundays, Blanár spoke in favour of the ban with conditions.{{Cite web|first=Michal|last=Baran|title=Blanár zahlasuje za zákaz nedeľného predaja|url=https://spravy.rtvs.sk/2023/03/blanar-zahlasuje-za-zakaz-nedelneho-predaja-sipos-si-tiez-vie-predstavit-zatvorene-obchody/|website=Radio and Television of Slovakia|date=26 March 2023|language=sk}}
Personal life
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commonscatinline}}
{{Slovak Cabinet}}
{{Government of Slovakia 2023-2027}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blanár, Juraj}}
Category:Direction – Social Democracy politicians
Category:Members of the National Council (Slovakia) 2002-2006
Category:Members of the National Council (Slovakia) 2010-2012
Category:Members of the National Council (Slovakia) 2016–2020
Category:Members of the National Council (Slovakia) 2012–2016
Category:Members of the National Council (Slovakia) 2020–2023