Bishops Conference Would Welcome Discussion on Suspension of Public Holidays

Bratislava, 10 September (TASR) – The Slovak Bishops Conference (KBS) would welcome an open dialogue regarding the government's plan to suspend 6 January, Epiphany, as a public holiday, as well as other holidays, taking into account the international agreement between Slovakia and the Holy See, TASR learnt from a KBS press statement on Wednesday. KBS declared this in response to the government's planned suspension of additional public holidays as part of its consolidation measures for 2026. "Public holidays are tied to the experience of faith and traditions within families and broader communities, and that deserves more extensive discussion. Cancelling holidays, as well as lifting the ban on retail trade during holidays for the sake of economic gain should not be the sole criterion in evaluating the overall societal benefit," stated KBS. On Tuesday (9 September), Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) presented new consolidation measures, which include changes to public holidays. Namely, the coalition decided to permanently cancel the holiday on 17 November, which marks the transition from the former totalitarian regime to democracy, and temporarily suspend the holidays on 6 January and on 8 May (which marks the WWII victory over fascism). The retail sales ban during holidays is also to be lifted. According to the minister, the state expects to obtain a total of €230 million from these measures. mf/df