MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Wednesday, 15 October 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Tuesday, 14 October): BRATISLAVA - State-run passenger carrier ZSSK has preliminarily quantified the damage to its rolling stock resulting from Monday's (13 October) collision between express trains near the village of Jablonov nad Turnou in the district of Roznava (Kosice region) at over €2 million, ZSSK itself informed TASR on Tuesday, adding that the exact sum will be determined by an inspection commission as soon as the removal work is completed. The clean-up work following the accident continues, and the railway line remains closed. The exact time when rail services will be resumed isn't known at the moment, but it is expected to be within several hours. ZSSK spokesman Jan Bacek has stated that the goal on Tuesday is to carry out technical and safety checks. A replacement bus service has been introduced in the section between Turna nad Bodvou and Roznava, which is normally used by 18 Gemeran express trains in both directions daily. Most of the damaged railway carriages were removed from the accident site during the night. Only one heavily damaged carriage remains at the scene. It is tilted and requires special equipment to move it. The damaged engine will be removed during the next stage of work. BRATISLAVA – The junior coalition Voice-SD party is proposing introducing five-years term for mayors, city mayors and regional governors, but only as of the next electoral term onwards, as such a proposal could potentially also gain opposition support, with a constitutional majority required for such a change, House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) stated on Tuesday. "There is no rationale for changing the system now," said Rasi, explaining that the current local government officials were elected for a four-year term. "We in Voice-SD were the first to launch a discussion on a five-year electoral term," he said at a press conference on Tuesday, noting that such a request emerged from the field some time ago. "But to extend the term to five years, we need the consent and mandate of those to whom this would apply — our towns, municipalities, and regions," he added. Rasi also pointed out that the proposal currently lacks sufficient support, as the opposition has rejected it. He stressed the need for legal certainty to ensure that the change is not challenged, as the current officials were elected for four years. "Any talk or sudden move to change the term to five or six years right now has no basis — we don't have the numbers, we don't have the MPs, and we don't have the consent of those affected," he said. BRATISLAVA - Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar on Monday welcomed the signing of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, the return of 20 Israeli hostages alive, and the handover of the bodies of four deceased hostages, but at the same time he voiced concern over statements by Hamas indicating that the group will not lay down its arms, TASR learnt from the Foreign Affairs Ministry press department on Tuesday. The agreement, signed on Monday in the Egyptian city of Sharm El-Sheikh by representatives of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, marks "a significant step towards fulfilling the comprehensive peace plan of U.S. President Donald Trump," said Blanar. "The Slovak Republic welcomes the release and return of 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas, as well as the handover of the remains of other victims. However, statements by Hamas that it will not disarm are deeply concerning. Slovakia supports the efforts of Egypt and Qatar to achieve full disarmament," added the Foreign Minister in his statement. BRATISLAVA - The coalition Voice-SD party strongly insists that the coalition agreement should be upheld, asserting its right to nominate the next governor of the Slovak central bank (NBS) and reiterating its unwavering support for incumbent governor Peter Kazimir, insisting that he remains the most suitable candidate and "is not a traitor", party leader and Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok stated on Tuesday. Sutaj Estok said this in response to remarks by Prime Minister and Smer-SD chair Robert Fico at the weekend. Speaking at the Smer-SD party congress on Saturday (11 October), Fico said that he saw no reason for Kazimir — a former member of Smer-SD — to be reappointed and suggested that if Kazimir was offended by this stance, "there has been enough betrayal already". Fico nevertheless acknowledged that under the coalition agreement the right to nominate the NBS governor belongs to Voice-SD. "When the coalition agreement was signed, our partners — including the Smer chair — knew that we intended to nominate Peter Kazimir for the NBS post. We shook hands on that. And if there's one thing I've always respected about Robert Fico, it's that a handshake with him has meant something. I believe that will be the case here as well and that what happened at the Smer congress was just a momentary lapse," stated Sutaj Estok at a press conference in Parliament. BRATISLAVA/SKOPJE – The European Union risks losing the trust of the people of North Macedonia if it continues to impose new conditions on the country's accession to the EU, stated President Peter Pellegrini during his official visit to Skopje on Tuesday. Following talks with North Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Pellegrini said that EU integration shouldn't be used as a tool to settle "international scores or political disputes", TASR's special correspondent in Skopje reported. "The EU is gambling with the trust of the people in this region. If it fails to prove that the enlargement process is alive and credible, it will make a serious mistake," declared Pellegrini. He added that countries like North Macedonia are capable of negotiating accession chapters and implementing necessary reforms in the years ahead to meet EU-membership criteria. The Slovak president argued that the security of the EU is closely tied to its enlargement. He reiterated that Slovakia firmly supports North Macedonia and will assist its integration efforts "in every possible way". This support includes financial aid via UN development programmes (UNDP), as well as Slovak diplomatic and expert participation in advisory teams during the country's EU accession talks. BRATISLAVA - Rail transport between the villages of Jablonov nad Turnou and Lipovnik in Roznava district (Kosice region) after the train accident on Monday (13 October) will probably be restored on Tuesday before midnight, the Transport Ministry posted on a social network on Tuesday. According to the ministry, rail-infrastructure operator ZSR is finishing repairs of the track and the remains of the damaged trains have already been removed from the site. Trains stopped running on this section because of the collision of express trains R 913 and R 914 Gemeran near the village of Jablonov nad Turnou. Approximately 100 people were on the trains and most of them were injured. After the accident, seven people were registered in critical condition, 14 moderately injured and 48 slightly injured. The clean-up of the aftermath of the train collision started on Monday evening. Police have opened a prosecution for the crime of general endangerment. Rail passenger carrier ZSSK in collaboration with ZSR are also investigating the accident. Another investigation is being conducted by the Transport Ministry which is analysing the circumstances and proposing measures to improve safety. jrg