MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 20 October 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, 19 October): BRATISLAVA – The continuation of consolidation in the coming years will take a different form than in 2024 and 2025, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated in a video posted on a social network on Sunday, noting that the vote on the state budget for next year is scheduled to take place on Tuesday (21 October). "Maintaining the current standard of the welfare state will require us to strengthen economic growth in 2026 and 2027 through more effective investment and tax policies, while at the same time making further savings at the expense of the state," stated the premier. According to Fico, the deficit should fall from 5 percent to 4.1 percent of GDP next year. Despite this, he said, spending on education and health care should be increased, the 13th pension maintained and high energy prices compensated for. The prime minister added that funds from the defence budget are also to be used for dual-purpose projects, such as the construction of a 1,000-bed hospital in Presov, which is scheduled to open in 2027. The premier also criticised the Party of European Socialists (PES), which, in his words, had completely abandoned traditional left-wing values and added that the main reason for the expulsion of Smer-SD was the amendment to the Slovak Constitution. He was also shocked that he had been accused of taking part in the celebrations of victories over fascism in Moscow and Beijing. The reason for his expulsion, according to him, was also his different opinion on the war in Ukraine. BRATISLAVA – Extending the government's term from four to five years could save funds, Parliamentary vice-chairman Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) said on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, adding that they're opening a discussion on the matter. Gaspar also mentioned the proposal to extend the electoral term of mayors and heads of self-governing regions. Opposition MP Alojz Hlina (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) sees these debates as unnecessary burden. "We're opening a debate. We've said that we need to start talking about it also at the level of local authorities, of course, to discuss it with state officials and perhaps also in Parliament with the opposition, because every single adjustment will also affect governments in the future, which may emerge from the opposition this time," said Gaspar, pointing out that this is a constitutional amendment, which requires 90 votes. "Why change what works now?" asked Hlina. BRATISLAVA – I'll assume personal responsibility and resign when there are legal grounds for my dismissal, director of the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) Pavol Gaspar stated on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday, adding he doesn't consider a common accident to be legal grounds. Gaspar also regrets the accident in Nitra, in which he was a participant. If he had been aware of his guilt at the scene, he would have admitted it and paid the fine. "Since we and the other parties involved didn't agree on who was at fault, the accident is being cleared up today. If it is established at the end of this clarification process that I'm the guilty party, I'll pay the fine as I'd have paid it on the spot," said Gaspar, noting that the accident happened during his personal time off. He declared that he was neither drunk nor under the influence of other substances, nor was he driving at 200 kilometres per hour. BRATISLAVA – Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) said that as long as the Voice-SD party is in government, the 13th pensions won't be scrapped. "As long as the Voice party is in government, the 13th pension won't be abolished. And I'm very happy that despite the heavy consolidation we managed to keep it at €667.30," said Tomas, noting that the 13th pension was a specific promise of the Voice-SD party, but also a commitment from the government manifesto. According to opposition MP Martina Bajo Holeckova (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS), the social standard has been lowered under this government since many taxes have been raised, a transaction tax introduced, and health and social levies increased. "And what is the outcome? After all this, we have the same deficit we had when you took over this republic. It is the same. Where is all that money?" asked the MP. According to her, the state can't afford 13th pensions, it is borrowing to have them and future generations will pay for them. ko