MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, May 5, 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, May 4): BRATISLAVA - I'm ready to sign an agreement with all political party chairmen to cancel Sunday political talk shows, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) told a press conference on Sunday, adding that the quality how presenters are prepared and the content of the debates don't correspond to what people in Slovakia deserve in terms of political discussion. "I believe that Sunday should really be a day of calm. If we could agree on that, political discussions could take place during the week. Why shouldn't a show that is called 'Five Minutes to Twelve' be 'Five Minutes to Eight'? It could be broadcasted on Monday nights on STVR 2. Markiza, JOJ, everyone else, TA3 - you can do TV debates in the evenings. But the state in which society is, in my opinion, doesn't allow us to continue with the aggression we perceive, even on Sundays," said Fico. BRATISLAVA - General Milan Rastislav Stefanik is one of the brightest points of our history, which we can always lean on, Prime Minister and Smer-SD leader Robert Fico said in a video posted on a social network on the occasion of the 106th anniversary of Stefanik's tragic death. The premier honoured the memory of Stefanik's tragic death at the memorial in Ivanka pri Dunaji (Bratislava region). "I've come here in particular to remind Slovaks of his characteristic qualities. How hard-working he was, how educated he was and how he loved his own country and his own people. Therefore, let his legacy be inspirational for us," he stressed. Fico pointed out that Slovaks have never been lucky to have continuity of statehood. "We have gone through great betrayals, often from big brothers, both in the west and in the east," he noted, pointing to the Munich Agreement or the invasion of Warsaw Pact troops. "The sad thing is that after 1989 we've been betraying ourselves. Let's remember how previous governments had no problem allowing bomber flights over Slovakia so that Serbia and Belgrade could be bombed," he added. BRATISLAVA - The transaction tax has a significant role in the current consolidation of public finances and its more significant changes can only be discussed if the coalition partners bring proposals to replace the shortfall in its revenues, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) told a press conference on Sunday, reminding his coalition partners that the tax had been approved at the coalition council and governing MPs okayed it in Parliament. "The worst political death is by scaring and startling," the premier said in response to additional proposals by some governing party leaders for changes in the transaction tax. "We're in the middle of governing and we're interested in bringing this governing coalition to 2027. I'll be patient, but as for the agreements that will be made at the coalition council, I'll consistently demand that they be respected," added Fico. Minor adjustments in the tax, he said, could relate to some technical issues. However, the premier admitted changes to the transaction tax at a recent meeting with entrepreneurs from the Republic Union of Employers. BRATISLAVA - Milan Rastislav Stefanik was a Slovak in body and soul, he was never ashamed of his origins and he proudly bore the name of his nation everywhere in the world, Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) posted on a social network on Sunday in connection with the anniversary of Stefanik's death, adding that Stefanik knew that Slovakia had to win its freedom on its own and no one would give it to it. "Even today, more than a century after his death, we face challenges that test our unity. In times of uncertainty, we need statesmen, not populists. We need those who build, not those who divide," emphasised Rasi. ROME - President Peter Pellegrini on Sunday visited the Campoformido airport in Italy, from where General Milan Rastislav Stefanik took off on his last flight to his homeland on May 4, 1919, describing Stefanik as a passionate Slovak and a convinced European who fought for the ideals of freedom and peace, TASR was told by the President Office's communications department on the same day. Pellegrini also highlighted the bilateral relations between Slovakia and Italy. This was the first ever visit of a Slovak President to Campoformido. On the 106th anniversary of Stefanik's tragic death, Pellegrini stressed his contribution to the setting up of Czechoslovakia, his devotion to his homeland and his belief in the importance of cooperation between nations. "It was General Stefanik who persistently and with determination founded the Czechoslovak Legions here in Italy. And it was the brave legionaries who convinced world leaders that Czechoslovakia belongs on the new map of Europe," said the Slovak president. In his address, the head of state also raised the question of how events in Slovakia would have developed if Stefanik had remained alive. According to him, people must respect his legacy in order to keep Europe in a good state for future generations. BRATISLAVA - Speaking on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday, Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) called for unity among the coalition partners, especially in connection with the adoption of the state budget, pointing out that all three coalition parties had agreed on the current consolidation measures. A gambling tax or a possible increase in property tax should help consolidation next year. "For myself, I can say one thing, that all this consolidation is necessary to avoid creditors, and it isn't the fault of Smer, SNS [Slovak National Party] or Voice," stated Kamenicky, adding that if they want to be responsible managers, they must pull together. lin