MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday, 5 August 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, 4 August): BRATISLAVA – National heritage institution Matica Slovenska has been playing a key role in protecting our national identity for many years, President Peter Pellegrini has posted on a social network to mark the anniversary of the institution's founding. The principles on which Matica Slovenska was founded show that the path to the economic and social prosperity of a nation leads through culture, education and morality, stated Pellegrini. "Let's remember that the cohesion of the nation, its ability to unite and work for the common good are values that move us forward, and therefore must accompany us today as well. Matica Slovenska covers a huge piece of our history even at present, primarily thanks to the work of those who participate in spreading its message," stated the president. GELNICA - The Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Ministry has so far approved and disbursed humanitarian financial aid totalling more than €400,000 for 315 households in eastern Slovakia that were affected by a windstorm in early July, Labour Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) told a news conference on Monday. According to Tomas, most households received the maximum possible amount of €1,500. Respective labour offices obtained some 360 applications, but in some cases the conditions for providing aid set by law haven't been met. Several more applications are still being assessed at the moment. The minister pointed out that local authorities can also ask for financial contributions of up to €15,000. "However, the money must only be used for private individuals, meaning citizens. We've registered nine such applications up to date," he said, adding that some applicants weren't eligible for the aid, as the contribution shouldn't serve to restore public property, but to cover basic needs of people. BRATISLAVA – Household energy prices will only remain unchanged because the state is subsidising them, but the state is borrowing money to do so, and it will have to be repaid one day, junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko posted on a social network on Monday in reaction to statements on energy prices for next year made by Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Sunday (3 August). "I've seen the premier's video assuring you that energy prices will remain the same, but there's a need to tell the truth: energy prices are the same only because the state is subsidising them. How does that work? If you pay €100 for electricity and you should realistically pay €200 according to market prices, the state subsidises the extra €100. It would be okay if the state helped you, but the state is lying to you, as it has to borrow that money. It borrows it with interest and we'll pay it back, including the interest, one day, and we'll pay real market prices," said Danko in a video on a social network. BRATISLAVA – Slovakia harvests only 63 percent of its annual timber growth, which is less than in Scandinavia or the Czech Republic, stated Slovak Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) on Monday, arguing that this shouldn't be considered deforestation but rather a neglect of basic forest maintenance. „The forests are getting older and becoming sick since old trees are being left there while young ones aren't given space. What used to be active maintenance of Slovak forests for hundreds of years (is not being done now) simply because politicians have been afraid for years of a few progressive media and journalists,“ Taraba responded in connection to Dennik N daily's articles that allege wood from the Tatra National Park (TANAP) ended up at a sawmill in Romania. After criticism that within Europe the Environment Ministry would sell the timber at a higher price, the minister said he opened the competition to the whole of Europe. „Yes, in this case, the wood can end up anywhere from France to Romania, or who knows where,“ he added. BRATISLAVA – Instead of generating the promised revenue for the state budget, the transaction tax is destroying the business environment, creating unpredictable expenses, reducing the competitiveness of Slovak companies abroad, which then discourages foreign investors, opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) MP Stefan Kiss stated on Monday. „It's now clear that the state has collected one-third less in transaction tax than Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) had anticipated. From the very beginning, we warned him that this stunt, with which he intends to secure his position at the helm of the Slovakia's central bank (NBS), would only cause chaos, shift the economy to cash transactions, and fail to save public finances. Everyone warned him, even Andrej Danko (Slovak National Party/SNS) understood it,“ Kiss noted. CRIKVENICA - Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) was received by his Croatian counterpart Davor Bozinovic in the Croatian city of Crikvenica on Monday, where they discussed cooperation between the two countries' police and fire services, TASR learnt from Slovak Interior Ministry's press release and HINA news agency. Sutaj Estok visited Slovak police officers in Crikvenica, who have been serving there continuously since 2008 as part of the Safe Tourist Destination project. Its main objective is to provide help and assistance to Slovak tourists during their transit through Croatia and to prevent and resolve incidents that Slovak tourists may encounter. The Slovak Minister added that 26 other countries have their police officer in Croatia during this summer season. "The presence of foreign police officers in Croatia has proven to be excellent practice. For foreign visitors, it's reassuring to have their own police officers nearby, not to deal with serious offences, but to provide a sense of safety and to assist with communication," Bozinovic stated. ko