MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, 5 October 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 4 October): BRATISLAVA/POPRAD – The Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) Council welcomed the adoption of the amendment to the Slovak Constitution, and criticised the current government, presenting KDH as a “clear conservative and democratic” alternative to the ruling coalition. This stems from the resolutions adopted during the council’s session held on Saturday in Poprad (Presov region), which were presented at a press conference by party leader Milan Majersky. Regarding KDH MPs Frantisek Majersky and Frantisek Miklosko, who did not support the constitutional amendment, the council did not adopt any resolution, meaning that they remain part of the KDH parliamentary caucus. According to Milan Majersky, the adopted amendment is a success comparable to Slovakia’s accession to the EU and NATO. He highlighted that the government’s proposal was supplemented with KDH’s priorities, and does not consider it a government initiative. „It was a KDH proposal, and I stand by that,” said Majersky. The KDH Council also declared that the constitutional changes strengthen the protection of human dignity. Frantisek Majersky noted that KDH is not only Christian but also democratic, and that his and Miklosko’s stance was understood and respected by fellow party members. „Robert Fico (Smer-SD) wanted to break KDH and its unity. We stand here united,” he said at the press conference. According to him, KDH remains strong. „As chairman, I want to unite the party, and they, as MPs, want to work,” Milan Majersky commented on the two lawmakers’ position. He does not view the situation as a problem, but as an experience. The government’s constitutional amendment passed in Parliament a week ago. It enshrines the existence of two genders – male and female – in the Constitution. Among other provisions, the amendment also regulates child adoption and the educational process. The aim of the amendment is to reinforce Slovakia’s sovereignty in matters of values and cultural-ethical issues. The KDH Council also expressed support for the party leadership’s efforts towards a democratic change of government. According to the Christian Democrats, the current government “grossly threatens Slovakia’s foreign policy interests, fails to govern in the interest of future generations, cannot guarantee equality before the law, protect families, or create conditions for a competitive economy.” Milan Majersky also pledged that KDH will pursue the abolition of the entire transaction tax. The KDH Council adopted further resolutions calling on the government to address drone-related threats, diversify from Russian energy sources, unblock EU funds for municipalities, and ensure that energy assistance is targeted, not blanket-based. KDH also called for the adoption of the 19th sanctions package against Russia. BRATISLAVA – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico congratulated Andrej Babis, leader of the Czech ANO party, on his victory in the Czech parliamentary election on Saturday. „I have just congratulated Mr. Andrej Babis, the winner of the Czech parliamentary elections, by phone and wished him a steady hand and much wisdom in translating his electoral victory into a new governing coalition," the Prime Minister posted on social media. BRUSSELS/BRATISLAVA – The upcoming EU summit in October (23–24 October) is set to discuss a proposal to amend the European climate law, which sets a binding target of a 90-percent reduction in emissions by 2040 compared to the 1990 levels and this initiative, pushed by several member states, is supported also by Slovakia — as confirmed recently in Brussels by Slovak Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (SNS nominee) and Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD). TASR learnt the news from its special correspondent in Brussels. The EU’s emission reduction targets for 2030 currently stand at 50 percent, while the European Commission has proposed increasing this target to 90 percent by 2040 to achieve carbon neutrality in the EU by 2050. During a session of the EU Environment Council in September, ministers recommended that discussions on the proposed changes to the EU climate law take place at the highest political level among heads of government and state, rather than at the ministerial level. In line with this, minister Sakova told the Slovak media that the 2040 climate goals appear unrealistic. „We said in the discussion that the climate targets set for 2040, unfortunately, seem unachievable. Europe is already losing competitiveness, and further strict measures could undermine it completely. Therefore, these targets need to be reassessed in every sector of our economy,” she explained. When asked if Slovakia has calculations on how much it could realistically reduce emissions by 2040, Sakova stated that current government estimates are lower than the Commission’s 90 percent proposal. „It is not 90 percent as defined in the 2040 targets; we expect to be somewhere between 60 and 80 percent,” she said. She also stressed that the figures depend on several variables, noting that the Commission set the 90-percent target before the COVID-19 pandemic, the sharp rise in energy prices, and the war in Ukraine. „Thus, these targets need to be reassessed to determine whether the EU can realistically meet such ambitious goals with its economy.” BRATISLAVA – President Peter Pellegrini on Saturday welcomed a statement by the Hamas movement regarding the release of hostages and its willingness to engage in a peace proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump. „For both Israel and Hamas, it is essential to implement this agreement in order to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East,” Pellegrini wrote in English on social media platform X. He also emphasised the necessity of a two-state solution based on mutual trust and security for all, while condemning terrorism. The President expressed gratitude to Egypt and Qatar for their diplomatic efforts in mediating between the conflicting sides and also praised President Trump’s efforts to resolve the Middle East conflict. „Slovakia fully supports an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and access to humanitarian aid. We must end the suffering and achieve decisive progress towards peace,” Pellegrini added. On Friday (3 October), Hamas announced that it would accept some elements of Trump’s peace plan, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also agreed to. Hamas expressed readiness to hand over power and release all hostages, but stated that further negotiations are needed on other aspects of the plan. On Saturday, Hamas declared it was prepared to begin talks aimed at resolving all disputed issues within the framework of the proposed peace agreement. In response to the Hamas announcement, Trump called on Israel to halt bombing in Palestinian territories. The development has been welcomed by several world leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. mf