MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, May 19, 2024 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, May 18): BANSKA BYSTRICA - The condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is stable, but still serious, Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova (Voice-SD) told a press conference on Saturday, noting that Friday's (May 17) surgery contributed to the positive prognosis. Vice-Premier and Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) added that the condition of the Prime Minister doesn't yet allow transport to Bratislava. Both ministers praised the health care provided to the premier in Banska Bystrica. "I cannot find words of gratitude for the fact that we're gradually approaching a positive prognosis. Very importantly, the condition allows for recovery. The prime minister is conscious, but, of course, with all the limits that such a serious injury represents," said Kalinak. The vice-premier doesn't foresee transport to Bratislava yet. "Certainly his condition doesn't allow us to carry out such a transport in the near future, that is, at the end of the weekend," he stated, declaring confidence in the procedures and medical staff of the hospital in Banska Bystrica. He also thanked for the offers and support from abroad. Kalinak added that the premier's condition is still considered serious due to possible reactions of the body to the gunshot wounds and possible complications that may still occur during the fourth and fifth day, that is over the weekend. "So, maybe tomorrow we'll be more optimistic and we'll certainly keep you updated," he added. PEZINOK - The Specialised Criminal Court in Pezinok (Bratislava region) has remanded in custody the man accused of the attempted murder of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), court spokeswoman Katarina Kudjakova told TASR on Saturday, adding that the decision is not yet final. A prosecutor of the General Prosecutor's Office proposed to take into custody the accused, 71-year-old Juraj C. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], because of his possible escape and due to the risk he might continue his criminal activity. A judge presiding over the preliminary proceedings complied with the motion. The man is charged with an aggravated murder attempt. He seriously shot Prime Minister Fico after the cabinet meeting in Handlova (Trencin region) on Wednesday (May 15). Fico is currently hospitalised in Banska Bystrica in a stable but serious state. BRATISLAVA - An investigator of the National Crime Agency (NAKA) has charged a person with dangerous threatening for allegedly sending a threatening message to Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) and two other MPs via a social networking site, spokeswoman for the Police Corps Presidium Denisa Bardyova told TASR on Saturday, adding that a court will decide on the motion to take them into custody. "We've processed a motion against the accused to take them into custody. The supervising prosecutor agreed with the motion and a relevant court will decide on the proposal," said the spokeswoman. If proven guilty, the accused faces a prison sentence of six months to three years. BRATISLAVA - The 'Slovakia' party has called for the resignation of Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) and also appealed to the government to withdraw "provocative" bills from Parliament, in particular the Slovak Television and Radio Act (STVR), TASR has learnt at the party's press conference on Saturday. According to party leader Igor Matovic, the coalition should thus confirm that it is serious about the calls for calm after the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD). Matovic also confirmed their participation in the meeting of the parties at the Presidential Palace convened by President Zuzana Caputova and her successor Peter Pellegrini. The party further said that the minister has failed in office in view of the assassination attempt and should resign or be removed by the government. "Matus Sutaj Estok should pull his head out of the sand, assume political responsibility and, as a sign of respect for the premier and in deference to the voters to whom he promised a safer and more peaceful Slovakia, given that he has failed in an exemplary manner, he should immediately resign from his post," said Matovic. The Interior Ministry said in response that it wonders why the media "are giving space at this time to the greatest evil in Slovak politics, which bears primary responsibility for the current state of affairs in the country". BRATISLAVA - The coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) has convened its parliamentary caucus for Monday (May 20) and is awaiting a definitive statement from Smer-SD on whether or not to participate in the meeting to which President Zuzana Caputova and her successor Peter Pellegrini invited political parties following the assassination attempt on Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD), TASR was told by party's spokeswoman Zuzana Skopcova. "However, we're convinced that unless Robert Fico tells us that he wants such a meeting, nobody has the right to organise such round tables," stated the spokesperson, adding that SNS doesn't support a roundtable with the participation of 'Slovakia' party leader Igor Matovic. am