MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 22 November 2025 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 21 November): BRUSSELS - The European Commission on Friday announced that it has initiated an infringement procedure against Slovakia over the recent amendment to the Slovak Constitution, which, according to the Commission, challenges the principles of primacy, autonomy, effectiveness and uniform application of EU law, TASR has reported. The European Commission (EC) has sent Slovakia a formal notice of possible non-compliance with its obligations and requested additional information and clarification, with Slovakia required to respond within two months. As the EC stated in its press release, the provisions added to Article 7 of the Slovak Constitution "allow Slovak authorities, including courts, to assess whether and to what extent EU law may apply in Slovakia, including rulings of the Court of Justice. This contravenes the principle of the primacy of EU law, which is a fundamental element of the EU's legal order, along with the principles of autonomy, effectiveness and uniform application of Union law". The EC raised its concerns with the Slovak authorities before the adoption of the amendments, which, however, were adopted without these concerns being addressed. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) mentioned the EC's plans back on 7 November when he said its objections concerned the constitutional article about Slovakia's sovereignty in matters of values and ethical issues. "We're looking forward to this conflict. I can't imagine any international organisation telling us how many genders there should be or who can and can't get married. This is purely a domestic matter and a very strong topic of national identity," Fico said two weeks ago. He's convinced that the basic treaties on the functioning of the European Union allow its member states to prioritise national law over EU law when it comes to matters of national identity. BRATISLAVA - No changes will be made to the Slovak Constitution in connection with the infringement procedure initiated by the European Commission (EC) against Slovakia, and there will be no changes to what was introduced in the Constitution via the most recent amendments, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) told a press conference on Friday. Fico stated that the infringement procedure launched by the EC on Friday concerns only Article 7 and the possibility of Slovak law prevailing over EU law in questions of national identity. "Nothing else among the changes made in the Constitution is subject to the procedure," he stressed, adding that the EC doesn't see a problem in the actual provision in the Constitution concerning the sovereignty of Slovak law. "The concerns are more based on the fact that this provision could be used in the future in other areas in which the EU has explicit primacy," explained Fico, claiming that such concerns are unfounded. "The sovereignty of Slovak law applies only to matters of national identity, and this is how we'll communicate it in our reply," stated Fico. He also recalled that the EU's founding documents allow member states to regulate issues of national identity within their national law. BRATISLAVA - President Peter Pellegrini believes that the Slovak government will successfully defend the amendment to the Constitution in the European Commission's infringement proceedings so that Slovakia's national interests won't be jeopardised in terms of national sovereignty or the use of EU funds, TASR was told by the President Office's communications department on Friday. "Slovakia is a stable and responsible member of the European Union that has the right to its sovereign positions, just like all member states of the Union," the president added in his statement. BRATISLAVA - The Slovak government supports the US peace plan for the war in Ukraine, but Ukraine must agree to it, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) told a press conference on Friday, adding that he'd like to see the European Union take a more active role in this regard. "The first basic condition for implementing this enormous plan is Ukraine's consent. Secondly, I'd like to see the European Union in a more active role because the plan includes, among other things, €100 billion that the Union should use for reconstructing and rebuilding Ukraine. But apart from that, we see nothing that would involve the European Union in the talks," he said, criticising the European Union's foreign policy. The prime minister claimed that everything that Smer-SD has predicted since the beginning of the war has "come true", including Ukraine's non-participation in NATO and the surrender of territory. He also stated that the current peace plan is worse for Ukraine than the one as of 2022. If the current plan is signed, Russia will emerge from the war as the victor and morally and economically strengthened, he opined. BRATISLAVA - A final decision on whether Miroslav Lajcak will be fired as an adviser to the prime minister over media reports about Lajcak's communications with Jeffrey Epstein will be taken next Wednesday (26 November), Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated at a press conference on Friday. Fico added that he currently sees nothing that would discredit the former head of Slovak diplomacy. "Some information is still being verified, and if it is proven that Miroslav Lajcak failed, he will go. But I've seen nothing so far that would discredit him," stated the prime minister. He stressed that he won't end Lajcak's role as adviser on the basis of "a bubble that is being created" and posts on social media. "That does not give me enough arguments to dismiss him," he declared, referring to Lajcak's reputation as a diplomat. Fico intends to make the decision on Wednesday after returning from the EU–Africa summit. BRATISLAVA - At a time of growing social polarisation, there's a need to discuss and seek a shared vision for Slovakia, President Peter Pellegrini declared at the Better Slovakia 2025 event on Friday. Pellegrini noted that the country needs a long-term strategy that goes beyond a single electoral term. "The major problem of our governments since the Slovak Republic was set up has been their inability to think beyond a single electoral term, often lacking the will to prepare measures that would benefit future generations," stated the president. In his view, the Slovak economy is facing a slowdown in growth, which requires support for investment and the modernisation of industry. The most pressing challenge now is to prepare a package of growth-oriented and motivational measures to boost business activities in Slovakia, enabling companies to expand production, increase efficiency and introduce modern technologies. The president highlighted the country's strong energy mix. "Slovakia produces nuclear and clean hydro-electric power. Our energy mix is excellent compared with those of other countries. We are leaders if we speak about CO2 emissions. On the other hand, we're unable to provide Slovak industry with suitable energy prices that would once again make our industrial sectors, especially the energy-intensive ones, competitive," he said. KOSICE - A new air route between Bratislava and Kosice to be served by Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air nine times a week using an Airbus A321 with a capacity of 239 seats was launched on Friday with a ceremonial first flight, TASR reported on the same day based on information from Kosice Airport. The first morning flight headed from Bratislava to Kosice and, subsequently, a total of 233 passengers took the opportunity to fly from Kosice to Bratislava, with a flight occupancy rate of more than 97 percent, according to Kosice Airport. Wizz Air was the winner of a public tender called by the Transport Ministry. "I am pleased that I have fulfilled my promise today and that after more than six years, our two largest cities are once again connected by an air service as a fast and safe way to get from one end of the country to the other," said Transport Minister Jozef Raz (a Smer-SD nominee). The air route significantly shortens travel time between western and eastern Slovakia, thus supporting business travel, family visits and tourism in both directions. am