MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 22 September 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, 21 September): BRATISLAVA - Chairman of the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) Andrej Danko does not believe that the incursion of Estonian airspace by Russian fighter jets was intentional, he said on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday. "I have enough information about it from the media, and I don’t believe it was intentional," he said, adding that he wouldn't speculate on whether it was a provocation or a coincidence. "I am not aware of any intentional Russian attack against a NATO member state. Had this happened, we would be facing a third world war," stated Danko. He also called for restraint in assessing the incident, and pointed to statements by US President Donald Trump and additional information about the Russian drone incursion into Poland. BRATISLAVA - Statements by coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) chair Andrej Danko about President Peter Pellegrini's expenses being twice as high as those of his predecessor Zuzana Caputova are untrue, the Presidential Office informed on Sunday, describing Danko's claims as repeated attacks on the head of state. The final two years of Caputova's term (2019-24) saw reduced budgets at nearly €6.4 million for 2023 and over €7.4 million for 2024, but these amounts were significantly underestimated and had to be increased during the year to nearly €8.7 million and, respectively, almost €9.3 million. This year’s budget for the Presidential Office at over €11.7 million is indeed higher, however, this is due to extensive renovation of the Karaconi Palace and other real estate property with an investment backlog since Michal Kovac's presidency (1993-98). BRATISLAVA - In addition to members of Parliament, the government will also freeze its flat-rate allowances as part of the consolidation of public finances, Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenicky (Smer-SD) said on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday. Opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Simecka believes the government should reduce their salaries rather than just freezing them. "We, as ministers, will freeze our flat-rate expenses. This has been agreed already," Kamenicky said, referring to an arrangement between him and Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD). Last week, lawmakers announced the freezing of their flat-rate allowances and, after an increase in wage tax, MPs will be receiving €220 less per month. According to Simecka, this is not enough. "Even though they knew that we are going to face difficult economic times, knowing that consolidation is needed and that it will hurt, they doubled their flat-rate allowances, which basically means doubling their salaries. And now they're telling us that they will freeze those doubled salaries. So everyone else will suffer – the self-employed will work more, employees will work more – but ministers will continue to enjoy their doubled salaries, with just freezing them at that level," said Simecka. BRATISLAVA - The Interior Ministry Days event held in Bratislava on Friday and Saturday (19-20 September) attracted more than 40,000 visitors, the ministry's press department informed TASR on Sunday. "I would like to thank all my colleagues who helped organise this event, as well as the thousands of people who came and showed their interest in the hard work of police officers, firefighters, mountain rescuers, and other ministry units," said Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD). The programme of the event focused on showcasing the ministry's work along with displays of rescue technology including historical and modern equipment. Demonstrations for the visitors were prepared by more than 700 police officers, firefighters, mountain rescuers and members of other units. ko