MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 25 August 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, 24 August): BRATISLAVA - A total of ten new political parties are currently seeking registration in Slovakia, with notifications about the collection of required signatures published on the website of the Interior Ministry. Among the fledgling parties are organisations named Jilo, United Slavs, Farmers' Movement, Danube, Kosice Movement 2030, Society Slovakia, Right to Truth, Roma East, Common Goal, and a party called Eastern Coast also plans to form. Party founders are required to collect at least 10,000 signatures, submit them to the ministry, and apply for registration. If all legal conditions are met, the Interior Ministry will register the party. BRATISLAVA - The Foreign and European Affairs Ministry has been providing humanitarian aid to residents of the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in October 2023, the ministry's press department told TASR on Sunday. „Slovakia strongly condemns the suffering of innocent civilians in Gaza and the tragic humanitarian situation. In a spirit of solidarity and respect for international law, we are therefore providing aid that has a tangible impact on the lives of people in need. Humanitarian aid is part of our commitment to help where it is most urgently needed," said Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD). According to Blanar, Slovakia's humanitarian aid is comprehensive, including financial, material, and medical support worth nearly €200,000, aimed at alleviating the suffering of the civilian population. BRATISLAVA - The opposition's Progressive Slovakia (PS) party is seeking to extend the right to vote from abroad to presidential elections, citing growing interest from Slovaks living overseas. The proposal has been submitted to the Slovak Parliament in an amendment to the Act on the Conditions for the Exercise of Voting Rights by MPs Lucia Plavakova and Zuzana Mesterova (both PS). „Voting from abroad is already possible in parliamentary elections via postal voting. However, due to the two-round system of presidential elections, this method is more difficult to implement. That is why we propose allowing voting from abroad through polling stations established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Slovak embassies and consulates," the MPs explained. BRATISLAVA - Attacks by the Ukrainian army on the Druzhba oil pipeline, which carries oil from Russia to Slovakia, are not only contrary to Slovakia’s national interests but also harmful to Ukraine itself, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) said on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday. Blanar revealed that he discussed the issue by phone on Sunday with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha. He stressed that the Slovak refinery Slovnaft, which processes Russian oil, is currently a significant diesel supplier to Ukraine, covering around 10% of its monthly consumption. According to Blanar, Sybiha acknowledged the information and pledged to convey it to the rest of the Ukrainian government. „We understand this is difficult for Ukraine, but this infrastructure is extremely important for us — especially as Ukraine is hurting its own interests by risking fuel shortages on its side. Our national interest is to protect these supplies, which is why we are speaking openly with the Ukrainian side. I will continue these talks at the European level, including a video call tomorrow with the Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister,” Blanar announced. jrg