MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 27 September 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 26 September): BRATISLAVA – Parliament on Friday approved a constitutional amendment that defines the existence of only two genders – male and female – in the Slovak Constitution and also introduces a constitutional guarantee of equal pay for men and women for the same work. Aside from coalition MPs, the amendment was supported by all opposition lawmakers from the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) caucus except for Frantisek Majersky and Frantisek Miklosko, who abstained. Also casting votes of support were three MPs from the 'Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union caucus: Richard Vasecka, Marek Krajci and Rastislav Kratky. Among coalition legislators, only Jan Ferencak (Voice-SD) was absent and didn't vote. Therefore, of the 99 MPs present, 90 voted in favour, seven opposed the proposal, two abstained, and none refrained. The legislation further regulates child adoption and the educational process. According to its proponents, the aim is to strengthen Slovakia’s sovereignty in matters of values and cultural-ethical issues. "Strengthening the protection of traditional values is key to preserving the cultural heritage of the Slovak Republic and ensuring legal stability. The constitutional amendment responds to the need to safeguard the cultural heritage enshrined in the preamble of the Slovak Constitution, particularly in recognising marriage as a unique union between a man and a woman," the approved government proposal states. The amendment highlights Slovakia's sovereignty in fundamental cultural-ethical matters, including the protection of life and human dignity, private and family life, marriage, parenthood and family, culture and language, as well as related areas such as health care, upbringing and education. BRATISLAVA - Leader of 'Slovakia' party Igor Matovic described the votes cast by Marek Krajci and Rastislav Kratky (both 'Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union alliance) in favour of the constitutional amendment as a betrayal. Matovic made the statement to journalists in Parliament after the vote in which the two MPs supported the proposal, which was passed with 90 votes. "We consider this to be a betrayal regarding an extremely serious matter by our own MPs, about which we found out just minutes before the vote. We don't see this as a mature approach," declared Matovic. He added that the situation will be discussed within the parliamentary caucus and announced a upcoming press conference on the matter. Matovic also noted that the conservative political space was shaken by the fact that MPs from Progressive Slovakia supported a proposal to abolish the public holiday on 15 September as part of the consolidation plan. "Krajci and Kratky also took this very seriously into account, so that probably contributed significantly," he added. Chair of 'For the People' Veronika Remisova pointed out that her party had a consistent position on the constitutional amendment. "The constitutional change was not a matter of values, but Fico's attempt to deceive Christians, to cover up the consolidation process, and to divide society and the opposition," she said. BRATISLAVA – The opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) has welcomed the approval of the amendment to the Constitution, as according to party leader Milan Majersky, the adopted changes will contribute to the protection of human dignity. Majersky expressed satisfaction that the proposal passed on Friday, stating that he didn't have the chance to speak to MPs Rastislav Kratky and Marek Krajci from the opposition 'Slovakia' party, but thanking them for supporting the amendment. "I'm pleased by this moment – a Constitution that protects human dignity has passed. Our articles were among those that transformed and adapted the current version of the government's proposal, which we were able to vote for with a clear conscience,” Majersky told journalists after the vote. He extended his thanks to all MPs who supported the amendment, in particular highlighting Kratky and Krajci, as well as Richard Vasecka ('Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union alliance), who had announced his support in advance. "Without those votes, it would not have passed," the KDH leader added. Majersky emphasised that he didn't pressure or try to persuade anyone, but instead spent the past three months engaging in discussions. "The Constitution protects human dignity – let us be glad about that," he said, adding that the amendment also safeguards women in relation to surrogacy, as well as children and families. BRATISLAVA - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) welcomes the passing of the government-sponsored amendment to the Slovak Constitution with about a dozen votes from the opposition, calling it a historic step and the forging of a "barrier against progressivism". Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Fico expressed gratitude to all the MPs who supported the changes, stating that Smer-SD applied pressure for the amendment and spoke to "influential people". "This is a shield that we have created. It can serve as an example for other countries. Liberalism and progressivism are destroying Europe. Let us be proud of what we've achieved. This is Slovakia’s victory, not a victory for Smer. Slovakia has shown Europe and the world that we are here, just as we were centuries ago, and that we can say that we won't let Brussels tell us that there is a third, fourth or fifth gender," said Fico. The Prime Minister emphasised that the decision wasn't merely one made by the ruling coalition, but a sovereign Slovak one. He argued that the vote demonstrated the importance of the fact that the ruling coalition doesn't have a constitutional majority. "It is important that the coalition always seeks cooperation with the opposition to reach a compromise of value," he added. BRATISLAVA - Leader of the Progressive Slovakia (PS) party Michal Simecka on Friday declared an end to any considerations of cooperation with the opposition 'Slovakia' party of Igor Matovic following a vote on the government-sponsored constitutional amendment, which passed with three votes from the 'Slovakia'-For the People-Christian Union caucus. Simecka took potshots at the three lawmakers for supporting the changes, stating that they've "helped the mafia". "After this disgraceful vote, the constitutional amendment passed – one that harms people in Slovakia and casts doubt on the country's place in the European Union and its legal space. We have the stance of the Venice Commission and all the experts on this," said Simecka. "But what surprises me and saddens me even more is the falsehood of MPs from the 'Slovakia' party. They jumped on board with Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) boundless populism, with a constitutional amendment that harms people," he added. For the PS leader, this marks the end of any deliberations about cooperating with the 'Slovakia' party. "The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) was transparent. We spoke with them, and it was clear that this was their position. But I fail to grasp how someone can betray us like this and renege on their word in the way that colleagues from the 'Slovakia' party have done," he remarked, adding that he no longer trusts MPs from that party. BRATISLAVA - The police have pressed charges against two individuals and one company with respect to the unauthorised use of EU funds in the 'Hacienda' case, TASR learnt from Police Corps Presidium spokesperson Roman Hajek on Friday. According to the police, the damage to taxpayers exceeded €151,000. If found guilty, the accused face prison sentences ranging from two to six years. "The National Unit for Combating Organised Crime of the Police Presidium has charged two individuals and one legal entity with respect to the unlawful drawing of a non-refundable financial contribution from the Rural Development Programme of the Slovak Republic 2014–2020," the spokesperson stated. According to the findings of the investigation, the damages of over €151,000 stem from resources provided by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Slovakia's public budget. The case concerns a project supposedly aimed at developing rural tourism and agrotourism. "The accused have been charged with the criminal offence of damaging the financial interests of the European Union, the criminal offence of subsidy fraud and the criminal offence of manipulation in public procurement and public auction. All offences were allegedly committed in the form of complicity," the spokesperson explained. The case is being supervised by the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Bratislava. jrg