MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Thursday, 20 November 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Wednesday, 19 November): KOSICE - A train carriage was derailed at Kosice railway station on Wednesday morning, rail-infrastructure operator ZSR spokesperson Petra Lanikova has confirmed for TASR, specifying that a rear chassis jumped off the track, leaving it damaged. Passenger rail carrier ZSSK has also confirmed for TASR that shortly after 7 a.m., the rear chassis of the end carriage was derailed as the passenger train was entering Kosice station at low speed. "The train remained stable, and we're currently dealing with the situation," said ZSSK spokesman Jan Bacek. The exact cause and circumstances of the incident are under investigation. "An ambulance was called to the scene of the accident after a passenger reported knee pain. However, she left the scene before paramedics arrived, and no treatment was required for any passengers or staff," said Lanikova. BRATISLAVA - The three-strikes rule should be reintroduced in the Penal Code for petty theft, with repeat offenders becoming criminally liable in case of repeated thefts, according to an amendment to the Penal Code approved by the government at its session on Wednesday. Offenders should be sent to prison for two years after committing a similar offence against property three times within one year. The amendment is also set to change the Distraint Code. Distraint offices will be able to impose coercive measures to recover compensation for damage caused by a crime or misdemeanour. The government has proposed that Parliament should deal with the amendment via a short-track legislative procedure. "In order to calm down tension in society and satisfy demands made by retailers, mayors of towns and villages regarding [the need for] tougher action against these offenders, the draft amendment proposes a change to the classification of theft under Section 212 of the Penal Code and, in the spirit of the slogan 'three times is enough', introduces criminal liability for the third consecutive such offence against property," states the explanatory report on the legislation sponsored by the Justice Ministry. In order to make it easier to enforce payment of compensation for damage caused by a crime or offence, the Distraint Code should allow for the imposition of a coercive measure when enforcing these claims. BRATISLAVA - President Peter Pellegrini tasked Education Minister Tomas Drucker (Voice-SD) with managing the Office of the Vice-premier for the Recovery Plan and a Knowledge-based Economy on Wednesday. Drucker has thus temporarily replaced Peter Kmec (Voice-SD), who resigned on Saturday (15 November). Kmec resigned following the opposition's criticism of the controversial results of calls for promoting research and development. Several opposition parties have filed criminal complaints regarding this matter. Nevertheless, Kmec rejected the criticism, stating that he doesn't view the results of the calls as controversial. Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced that Kmec wouldn't remain in his post back on Friday (14 November). BRATISLAVA - At its next meeting, the government will discuss the possibility of suing the European Union (EU) for its decision to end Russian gas supplies as of 2028, stated Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) following the government meeting on Wednesday. The premier tasked Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD), Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and Justice Minister Boris Susko (both Smer-SD) with submitting a document analysing the possibility of filing such a lawsuit at the next government meeting. The premier pointed out that Slovakia and Hungary will be the countries most affected by the European Commission's decision. "This decision is extremely damaging to us. You know that we didn't vote for it," he emphasised, adding that the government will also address the European Commission's commitments to help Slovakia with energy. "Everything will depend on how the European Commission fulfils its commitments to Slovakia, which were made and signed directly by the European Commission president [Ursula von der Leyen]," added Fico. PARIS - Frantisek Ruzicka, Slovakia's permanent representative to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, will become the deputy of OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, the Foreign Ministry's communications department told TASR on Wednesday, adding that he will be the first Slovak to take up the post on 1 December. Ruzicka gained the trust of all 38 OECD member countries at the suggestion of the secretary-general. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) stated that this is a significant achievement for Slovakia, which "confirms the ability of our country and Slovak diplomats to contribute to jointly adopted solutions in a complex international environment." Blanar also emphasised that support for multilateralism is absolutely crucial for Slovakia. Ruzicka's appointment to his new position comes in a year when Slovakia is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its membership in the OECD. According to the ministry, the organisation has contributed to the modernisation of Slovakia's economic and social policies and continues to play an important role in the adoption of international standards in the areas of economics, the environment, business, and artificial intelligence. LONDON - Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) paid a working visit to the United Kingdom on Wednesday to meet with Speaker of the House of Commons Lindsay Hoyle to discuss the renewal and fostering of interparliamentary dialogue, TASR was told by the Slovak Parliament's media and public relations department. The Slovak House chair also met in London with the Speaker of the House of Lords, John McFall. This was the first official visit by the Slovak parliamentary chair to the United Kingdom in over 20 years. The main focus of the talks between Rasi and Hoyle was the renewal and strengthening of interparliamentary dialogue. The Slovak House chair emphasised the importance of re-establishing platforms that would enable regular meetings and exchanges of experience between Slovak and British MPs. "I see great potential for deepening our bilateral relations in parliamentary diplomacy, particularly through the re-establishment of friendship groups in both parliaments," he said. The renewal of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Slovakia (APPG for Slovakia) is a priority, said the Slovak House chair. "I'll also strive to re-establish the Slovakia-United Kingdom Friendship Group in our parliament," he promised. jrg