MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 20 September 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 19 September): BANSKA BYSTRICA – The trial of Prime Minister Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) shooter Juraj C. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons] continued at the Specialised Criminal Court (STS) in Banska Bystrica on Friday with witness hearings. This is the fourth day of the trial, and, as the presiding judge noted at the beginning, the court has already heard most of the evidence submitted by the prosecution. Three witnesses from the PM's security detail, who were present at the scene, testified in detail about their recollections of the incident. They described where they were at the moment of the shots, how they responded, what they thought about how their colleagues subdued the shooter, and how many shots they heard. BRATISLAVA – Slovakia is fully prepared for the electronic testing of secondary school-leaving exams in the 2025/26 school year, Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) told a news conference on Friday, adding that the ministry is thus meeting a milestone from the recovery plan. In the spring, students will be able to choose whether they want to be tested electronically or in writing. The electronic secondary school-leaving exam will not be mandatory next year, therefore. It will only apply to the external (nation-wide) part of the school-leaving exam in the Slovak and Hungarian languages for now. "The electronic school-leaving exam means that students will no longer have to fill out a paper form but will be able to take the test electronically, on a computer," said Drucker. Ivana Pichanicova, the director of the National Institute of Education and Youth's (NIVaM) section of education assessment and monitoring explained that students will be able to apply to take an electronic school-leaving exam from 21 October to 11 November. "The platform will be open for students and schools. Students can try testing themselves in the system and decide whether to choose the electronic or paper form by 11 November," she said. BRATISLAVA – The European Commission's (EC) proposals will mean the liquidation of agriculture in Slovakia because if €4.6 billion is available to Slovakia for its agricultural sector in the current programme period, it should be €1 billion less in the next one (multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034), Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) told a news conference on Friday. "The information that we received on Thursday (September 18), unfortunately, confirmed what we were saying. We were right that it was very bad, it was ruinous. It's ruinous not only for the whole of Europe, but for the agricultural sector in Slovakia," stated the minister. "The proposal published by the European Commission states that when funds for the agricultural sector are redistributed, Slovakia will receive almost €1 billion less than it did in the 2021 to 2027 programme period, when €4.6 billion was allocated to it," specified Takac. BRATISLAVA – Members of the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party have criticised the organisation of the Interior Ministry Days, which they consider to be overpriced, and they also have a problem with the ministry's inefficiency and other purchases, insisting that Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) should resign. "In the past, when the Interior Ministry Days were held, the ministry spent around €50,000, maybe less. Now, with Matus Sutaj Estok, they will cost €600,000, which is at least twelve times more," said MP Juraj Krupa (SaS) at a press conference on Friday. The MP also criticised the fact that police salaries will not be increased in 2026. According to him, their pay will effectively decrease due to higher pay-roll contributions. "Personally, I believe it would be much better and more reasonable if Matus Sutaj Estok, for the sake of promoting the police and firefighters, were to resign from his post," stated Krupa. BRATISLAVA - Slovak President Peter Pellegrini welcomed the laureates of the 2024 Golden Rescue Cross award at the Presidential Palace on Friday and thanked them for their willingness to risk their own lives when saving others, TASR reported on the same day. "You are an example showing that selflessness, dedication and willingness to help have not vanished from our society," said the head of state. "I congratulate and extend my gratitude to the true heroes for whom saving human lives and health has become the highest value; a value for which you don't hesitate to risk your own lives or injuries, to sacrifice your free time or personal comfort, while acting to the best of your abilities whenever and wherever necessary," said Pellegrini. He called on the public to show their appreciation and trust for the work of first responders. In addition, feedback from the state should entail the provision of adequate material and financial resources, as well as sufficient technical and staffing support. BRATISLAVA – Slovakia hosted a broader meeting of the NATO Security Committee this week from 17-19 September, bringing together representatives of more than 60 countries and organisations, Kristina Petro Garaiova, a spokeswoman with the National Security Authority (NBU) which co-organised the meeting, informed on Friday. ` According to NBU, the meeting confirmed Slovakia's important role within the Alliance and respect among its partners. "The meeting shows that NATO and its partners are able to respond jointly to comprehensive challenges and transform the principle of collective security into practical solutions," said NBU head Roman Konecny, adding that the outcomes from the discussions will contribute towards strengthening NATO's position as a guarantor of stability and security, reinforcing partnerships, and expanding mutual trust. jrg