MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 8 November 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 8 November): BRATISLAVA - Speaking on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues), Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated that he'll convene a government session that will be held on 17 November, adding that the agenda for the cabinet meeting should be discussed at Monday's (10 November) coalition council meeting. The premier respects people's right to demonstrate on that day. However, he doesn't want any violent clashes to occur. "I'm convening the government for 17 November, and we'll have a government agenda. On Monday, we have a coalition council meeting, and we'll definitely discuss what could be on the agenda of the government meeting. As for Smer-SD, we're also preparing our events, but the only thing we don't want is for there to be any clashes or violence, because we hear all sorts of things," said Fico. He believes that everyone will commemorate 17 November democratically. "Let people go and demonstrate, let them express their opinions, but it doesn't particularly bother me, it's a holiday like any other," added the prime minister. BRATISLAVA - MPs for Smer-SD are likely to support overturning President Peter Pellegrini's veto on the amendment to the Gambling Act, Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues), however, he believes that it will be difficult to override the veto. If Parliament doesn't override it, he doesn't believe it will cause turbulence in the coalition, as it is not a "vital law". "I don't see any fundamental problem with this law, because its aim is partly to bring gambling under state control and, above all, to increase the amount of money going into the state budget," said Fico about the vetoed amendment to the Gambling Act. "As far as Smer is concerned, if we voted for the law in Parliament, I assume that the parliamentary caucus will repeat this vote," he added. If the House doesn't approve the law again, nothing will happen, according to him. "It is possible that we won't have 76 votes to break the veto," he said, adding that this won't be a factual problem, but a political one, given the tension between Tourism and Sport Minister Rudolf Huliak (Independent) and the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS). According to Fico, the vote of confidence in the government due to the Debt Brake Act will be a formality and the government will receive confidence. However, the date of the vote hasn't yet been set. The prime minister also announced a visit by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who will arrive in Slovakia on 18 November. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to visit Slovakia at the turn of the years, and a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping is also being prepared. ZILINA - Valeria Vasilova has been elected the new president of the Slovak Medical Chamber (SLK), with the decision being made by the SLK congress, which took place in Zilina on Friday (7 November) and Saturday. Vasilova is the first woman in history to head SLK, replacing Jaroslav Simo after two years in office. Vasilova has previously served as SLK vice-president and was the only candidate in the election. "I'd like the entire medical profession to speak with one voice. Everyone can defend their particular interests, but as doctors, we should stick together because we can achieve our goals better and more easily that way. I'd like SLK to be a partner for the Health Ministry and for institutions that have something to say about health care," Vasilova said following her election. According to the new president, SLK will soon be addressing the issue of fees charged by chambers for maintaining the register, as well as fees and additional payments in health care. "We have calculated the minimum operating costs for outpatient clinics of various specialisations, on the basis of which we can respond to the steps taken by the Health Ministry in the near future and demand that they finally address the outpatient sector, which [Health] Minister [Kamil] Sasko [Voice-SD] described as underfunded during the hospital doctors' strike," added Vasilova. BRATISLAVA - Thirty-three years ago, one of the most important figures in Slovak history, Alexander Dubcek, tragically passed away, President Peter Pellegrini posted on a social network on the occasion of Friday's (7 November) anniversary of Dubcek's death, adding that he was a modest man, a social democratic politician who never gave up his values during the harshest political persecution. "After November 1989, he had his own plans and visions, the fulfilment of which was thwarted by a tragic event. Honour to his memory, his human and moral legacy is an inspiration to us in these times," said Pellegrini. Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) stated that Dubcek became a symbol of hope, adding that he wasn't only the face of the Prague Spring in 1967–1968. "His efforts to create socialism with a human face were violently suppressed by tanks, but his vision survived nonetheless. A vision of a state that respects human dignity, ensures justice, and cares for all its citizens," said Rasi, noting that it was Dubcek who, after November 1989, as chairman of the Federal Assembly of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, helped transform totalitarian institutions into democratic ones. "We pay tribute to his struggle for enduring values such as freedom, democracy, and social justice," said Rasi, adding that these values are just as important today as they were when Dubcek championed and fought for them. am