MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday, 21 October 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, 20 October): BRATISLAVA – The debate on extending the current term of local governments is definitively closed, and the next municipal elections will take place as planned in 2026, TASR learnt from the Parliament Office's press department on Monday. This decision emerged from a discussion held on the same day between House Chair Richard Rasi (Voice–SD) and representatives of all municipalities and regions in Slovakia. They unanimously agreed that any extension of their current term would violate constitutional principles and existing legal standards. „We heard a clear, united, and principled stance from all three associations, who categorically rejected the proposal to postpone the elections planned for 2026. We fully respect their reasoning that mayors and regional governors were elected for four years, and any retroactive change to these rules would breach constitutional principles and democratic standards," said the House chair. NITRA/BRATISLAVA – The Internal Affairs Inspectorate (UIS) is examining information recently reported in the media concerning the presence of Branislav Hajnovic, the head of Nitra region police, at the scene of a traffic accident involving Slovak Information Service (SIS) director Pavol Gaspar, UIS spokesperson Andrea Dobiasova confirmed on Monday. MP Martina Bajo Holeckova (SaS) disclosed that the investigation is taking place and stated that she's already testified before the inspectorate in connection with the incident. "Regional police director Hajnovic admitted he was at the scene of the accident, but claims he was merely passing by and stopped because no police patrol had arrived yet," said the MP. "Gaspar, however, stated on television that Hajnovic arrived at the scene two and a half hours after the accident. By that time, a police patrol had already been present for some time." BRATISLAVA – Nearly ten months after being installed as acting Police Corps President by Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD), Jana Maskarova underwent a hearing in front of the parliamentary defence and security committee on Monday as a legal prerequisite for her formal appointment. The interior minister said he would appoint Maskarova to the post on Tuesday (21 October). In January this year, she replaced the former Police Corps president Lubomir Solak. Maskarova outlined as her priorities stabilising the Police Corps and ensuring transparency. According to her, modernisation of the Police Corps will also require upgrading IT systems and equipment. ABU DHABI – Prime Minister Robert Fico held talks on Monday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focusing on strengthening bilateral cooperation, TASR learnt from the Government Office's press department. The two leaders discussed deepening ties in areas such as trade, renewable energy, innovation, future technologies, and culture. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues, emphasising the importance of dialogue and diplomacy during times of crisis. „The President of the United Arab Emirates is known for his innovative approach to governance and strong international relations with world leaders, including the presidents of the United States, China, and the Russian Federation," said Fico. BRATISLAVA – The Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Ministry is launching a project focused on supporting single parents, the aim of which is to help this group of people stand on their own two feet in a new situation, Labour Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) announced at a news conference on Monday. Single parents should now be helped to deal with their issues by professionals in comprehensive aid counselling centres. "It rarely happens, but we have brought the know-how and experience from organisations helping single parents into the state system," explained the minister. "We have three partners in this project: 'One Parent' association, the 'Sun Center' organisation, and the 'Mymamy' [We Mothers] organisation," said Tomas. The project consists of a network of 46 comprehensive aid counselling centres that the ministry has set up across Slovakia. "We'll have these employees in these counselling centres - a psychologist, a lawyer, an economist and a social worker. Two new posts will be added: a personal experience guide and then a case manager," said Tomas. BRATISLAVA – Slovakia's economy in 2024 grew slightly slower than was published in the spring revision, with GDP in fixed prices going up 1.9 percent, compared to the original 2.1 percent, according to the GDP autumn revision released by the Statistics Office on Monday. The revised volume of GDP in fixed prices reached €104.3 billion in 2024, which is €114 million less than the originally published figure. The revision also slightly reduced the GDP growth figure for 2023, from the original 2.2 percent to the current 2.1 percent. Meanwhile, it adjusted the figure for 2022 upwards, from the original 0.4 percent to 0.5 percent. ko