MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday, 18 November 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, 17 November): BRATISLAVA - Disciplinary proceedings against Daniel L. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], a prosecutor of the Prosecutor-General's (PG) Office and former head of the now dissolved Special Prosecutor's Office, were launched at the Supreme Administrative Court (NSS) on Monday. Daniel L. is facing demotion to a lower post in the prosecution service. He's rejected a plea bargain. The disciplinary motion, which is comprised of three points, states that Daniel L. aggressively shouted at the director of the PG Office's personnel office, saying that she was "obeying the rules of the Zilinka regime" and that "the PG Office's personnel office is doing overtime for the PG". Another point of the motion concerns a rejection of the defendant's complaint of being subject to proceedings without knowing the contents of a classified annex to the investigation file. He's also being disciplined for an allegedly inappropriate sarcastic comment concerning the the PG Office's management. The disciplinary motion was filed by PG Maros Zilinka a year ago. According to Daniel L.'s lawyer Ladislav Masar, the PG is in a severe conflict of interest concerning at least two of the three points of the case. BRATISLAVA - In the autumn of 1989, we demanded dialogue, discussion and respect on the streets, but today monologues prevail, discussions have turned into arguments, and respect, especially respect for different opinions or political opponents, has been lost, stated Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. The House chair called for a decent and constructive debate in society and mutual respect. "I was also standing on the squares in 1989. My strongest memory is the emotion of that time: unity, togetherness, hope and humility in the face of an uncertain future. We were all there together, united by the vision of a free Slovakia. Today, we search in vain for this emotion in society. We have freedom of speech, open borders and the ability to vote freely, but social reconciliation is nowhere in sight," he posted on social media. Rasi claimed that it seems as if there is a state of permanent conflict in which warring factions drive their supporters into battle against each other on imaginary barricades almost every day. "That's why it's not enough to just remember. If we want to change the atmosphere in Slovakia, we must stop unnecessary conflicts, hatred and anger. Slovakia is our common home, and it's up to us how we, our parents, children and grandchildren will live in it," he added. BRATISLAVA - No ideology can arbitrarily interfere with the rights and lives of people, it can't persecute them for their origin, faith, or political beliefs, stated President Peter Pellegrini in his address commemorating the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy at the Central Memorial to the Executed and Tortured Political Prisoners of Communism in Bratislava on Monday. The ceremony was also attended by former president Ivan Gasparovic, Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) and several ministers. "Prosperity and economic and social development can only be achieved in a society that obeys the law and respects human rights, where the spirit of freedom reigns, including freedom of enterprise and freedom of expression," said the head of state. According to Pellegrini, the feeling among people that their desire for dignified living conditions hasn't been fulfilled hasn't been caused by the values that civil society achieved during the Velvet Revolution, but by the way in which post-November governments have handled the country's potential. The head of state also called on people to respect one another, and specifically, to respect students and older people. "I regret that the dialogue that all segments of society called for in November 1989 has disappeared from our public life. Hate, insults and vulgar expressions have often replaced dialogue as the basis for meaningful communication. However, if we want to find ways to unite the Slovak nation instead of further fuelling hatred, we simply can't do so without decent dialogue," he emphasised. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) highlighted the events that took place towards the end of the previous regime, such as the candlelit demonstration in 1988 and student protests in Bratislava and other cities and towns. "We're here to honour them all, to remember them, and above all, to take responsibility for the values that they fought for," said Blanar. Chairman of the Confederation of Political Prisoners Peter Sandtner pointed to the diversity of the victims of socialism. "It isn't a homogeneous group. This points to the fact that the communist regime persecuted all groups of the population," he said. According to him, the victims of communism were also a loss for the state, which they were unable to help develop. BRATISLAVA – Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) should realise that he's the leader of the entire nation, and not just of his own voters, said President Peter Pellegrini on Monday at a briefing following a commemorative event marking the anniversary of the end of totalitarian rule in the erstwhile Czechoslovakia, known officially as the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy. Pellegrini stressed that Fico should soften his tone and rely more on argumentation, adding that the prime minister's harsh rhetoric is contributing to rising tensions in society. The president also condemned Fico's statements describing 17 November as a pre-arranged communist coup. "I don't think that the hard style of politics that he's been pursuing in recent months is the right policy or the right type of politics that Slovakia needs. On the contrary, it seems to me that tensions in society are becoming even more polarised, and the prime minister must realise that he's not only the head of government for the few percent of voters of his own party; he's the prime minister of the Slovak Republic," underlined Pellegrini. Pellegrini added that he doesn't understand why Fico feels the need to provoke people by calling the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy a communist coup. "It's as if he wanted to belittle all those students and young people who took to the streets; as if he wanted to tell them that their presence was actually pointless, because everything had been prepared in advance," he said. He added that he doesn't believe that the prime minister should be saying such things, pointing out that his statements contradict the testimonies of those who witnessed the revolution and established historical facts. "It's an attempt to attract attention, to say something that will spark discussion," said Pellegrini, adding that the heroes of the day in 1989 were the students and ordinary people. The president also criticised Parliament for not suspending the 17 November public holiday only on a temporary basis, as has been the case with other state holidays. NITRA/BRATISLAVA – Prime Minister and head of Smer-SD Robert Fico called on politicians on Monday to reform Slovakia's political system on the principle of free democratic elections. “We cannot have thirty-one parties running in elections. We cannot form a government based on broad coalitions that are unable to function. This form of democracy harms the Slovak Republic,” the Prime Minister said in his speech at a party event titled '17 November – A Day of Respect for Different Opinions' held at the Agrokomplex venue in Nitra. “Democracy should be a democratic competition among the best for the best ideas,” he underlined. According to Fico, democracy in Slovakia has turned into a “clown car for fools". “Good democracy is when you govern a country on the basis of free democratic elections and at the same time respect certain rules and respect one another,” he noted. Marking Monday's remembrance day [the anniversary of the end of totalitarian rule in erstwhile Czechoslovakia — ed.note], Fico declared it must not be forgotten that life in Slovakia existed before the Velvet Revolution of 17 November 1989. “People worked, built wealth, and then someone privatised and looted it. Let us not forget continuity,” he underlined. According to Fico, Smer-SD has never adopted legislation during its time in government that would go against democracy or restrict human rights. “We have never abused power, we have not used the police, and we have not interfered in the affairs of other countries,” he added. Fico said he is convinced of the need to restart the investigation into the 2018 murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee. “I officially call on the Interior Minister and the Prosecutor-General to revisit, in light of new circumstances that have emerged on the international stage, what happened in 2018, and finally give the Slovak nation the truth about what happened to the journalist and his partner,” he stated. BRATISLAVA – At a protest in the Bratislava Old Town Centre, the opposition parties Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), Progressive Slovakia (PS) and the extra-parliamentary Democrats called for the end of the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), aiming to defeat him in the next election. PS leader Michal Simecka expressed his ambition to win the general election. Tens of thousands attended the event 'They Will Not Take November from Us', held on Freedom Square to mark the 36th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution [the end of totalitarian rule in erstwhile Czechoslovakia, which Parliament permanently abolished as a public holiday as part of consolidation measures — ed.note]. The crowd chanted “Fico must go”, “We want change” and “We'll not give up Slovakia”. According to Simecka, people in November 1989 had courage and a desire for freedom. “Those are exactly the two values the communists did not understand. Just as Robert Fico does not understand them today. That is why he will lose, just as the communists lost,” he said. As PS leader and opposition leader, he said he is ready to win the next parliamentary election and defeat Fico's government. He also declared on stage that one of the first measures after taking office would be to restore 17 November as a public holiday. Slovakia, according to SaS chairman Branislav Grohling, has more goodness, strength and hope than anyone can imagine. He is convinced the country needs a new Velvet Revolution, a revolution of decency, expertise and honest governance. “Hope is not weakness. Hope is the decision not to give up. It is the decision to believe that tomorrow can be better than today,” Grohling told the crowd. KDH MP Frantisek Miklosko called it a disgrace that the government abolished 17 November as a public holiday. “Fico and his governing coalition want to erase from our memory this modern story of ours that began on 17 November,” he said. He added that Slovakia has always had people who moved the country forward towards a better future. Jaroslav Nad, chair of the extra-parliamentary Democrats, said the governing coalition could not intimidate them. He believes the Prime Minister is dismantling justice in Slovakia just as the communists once did. “Today we see the Government Office acting as a loudspeaker for Russian propaganda from Moscow, just as it was under communism,” he remarked. After the political protest, a civic gathering organised by the civic association Peace for Ukraine took place on Freedom Square. Several speakers criticised the current government, among them former prime minister Iveta Radicova (2010-12). “Politicians are not meant to control us. Politicians are meant to manage public affairs, and if they cannot, they should leave. Politicians must serve the weak and vulnerable, protect all minorities and safeguard justice. They must not support crooks,” she said. Representatives of the association also read out their manifesto on stage, calling it an appeal to all generations. According to Peace for Ukraine, Slovakia faces a major challenge: preserving democracy in the country. “We fought for democracy, but democracy also means great responsibility,” they stated. They underlined that Russia has unleashed war on Ukraine and that Ukraine is fighting for its existence. Representatives of the opposition's 'Slovakia' party did not appear on stage in Bratislava, but commemorated 17 November at gatherings in other Slovak cities, instead. mf