MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 2 March 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, 1 March): BRATISLAVA - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has expressed solidarity with all countries targeted by the Iranian retaliatory attack, declaring that Slovakia is ready to evacuate Slovak nationals after no-fly zones are lifted, he told a press conference on Sunday. Fico also gave a special mention to the United Arab Emirates as a country whose leadership strives for stability and peace in the region, while stressing that the Slovak Foreign Ministry's crisis centre is operating around the clock. "Communication with and registration of Slovak nationals in the crisis area are ongoing, alongside efforts to identify others who may require assistance or relevant information," added Fico. According to him, energy prices are likely to surge if the Strait of Hormuz is blocked for a prolonged period while oil transit through Ukraine remains suspended. BRATISLAVA - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has announced that he will file a criminal complaint against Michal Surek, a prosecutor at the Prosecutor-General's (PG) Office, on suspicion of abuse of power by a public official, TASR has learnt at a press conference held on Sunday and attended by Defence Minister Robert Kalinak, House Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (both Smer-SD) and Prime Minister's adviser Marek Para. Fico also spoke about initiating criminal proceedings against Ludovit Mako as a cooperating witness of law enforcement authorities. "We're filing a criminal complaint, and above all, we believe that prosecutor Michal Surek committed the crime of abuse of power by a public official. We are referring this criminal complaint to the PG's Office. It's not an anonymous criminal complaint; it has been duly signed by all of us," said Fico, citing the circumstances surrounding the termination of Mako's criminal prosecution. BRATISLAVA - If Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has received an invitation to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine, he should accept it and attend the meeting, House Vice-chair and leader of the junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) Andrej Danko stated on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday. "If I were to receive such an offer, I can't imagine not going," Danko said, reacting to Fico's preference for a meeting with the Ukrainian President at a neutral venue. Danko also added that during such a meeting, he would demand an on-site inspection of the Druzhba pipeline which Ukraine claims is damaged to a point that makes oil transit impossible. BRATISLAVA - Speaking on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, Labour Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) stated that the debate regarding the bill to scrap postal voting from abroad was rational. He reiterated that he has not yet seen the specific proposal spearheaded by the coalition party Smer-SD, but Voice-SD will take a stance on the issue once it is presented to the coalition council. His opponent on the show, House Vice-chair Martin Dubeci (opposition Progressive Slovakia/PS) said the proposal is driven by the coalition's fear of the electorate and democracy. According to Tomas, it is questionable whether the secrecy of ballot is truly upheld in postal voting. He stressed that even if this method of voting is to be scrapped, Slovaks residing abroad wouldn't be prevented from voting. BRATISLAVA - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and Economy Minister Denisa Sakova (Voice-SD) communicated with Samsung before the company announced its intention to close its television manufacturing plant in Slovakia, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) said on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday. Also on the show, opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) MP Alojz Hlina expressed his intent to find out to what extent the government's policies contributed to the company's decision. Samsung confirmed the decision to close the plant in Galanta (Trnava region) on Friday (27 February), with approximately 800 people expected to lose their jobs. "As far as I know, the Prime Minister and the Economy Minister communicated with the company," said Takac, reiterating that Samsung also operates a distribution warehouse in Slovakia, which will continue to function. Hlina drew a comparison to the recent closure of the sugar refinery in Trencianska Tepla (Trencin region), where distribution operations will also be maintained. "It seems that something is happening. For the sake of this country, I hope we manage to save what can be saved. We must find out how much of this is a global decision by Samsung and how much we 'helped' it negatively," said Hlina. ko