MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, 8 March 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 7 March): RUZOMBEROK - Delegates at the national congress of the Christian Democrats (KDH), which took place in the town of Ruzomberok (Zilina region) on Saturday, decided that Jan Horecky and Peter Stachura have become new vice-chairmen of the opposition party. Both join the three existing KDH vice-chairs - Viliam Karas, Igor Janckulik and Marian Caucik. Three candidates ran for the two new vice-chair posts. In addition to Horecky and Stachura, Monika Kolejakova also sought to win the confidence of the delegates. She received 95 votes in a secret ballot. Stachura garnered 159 votes and Horecky received 205 votes. A total of 245 ballots were cast. The election of the chairperson wasn't on the agenda. KDH leader Milan Majersky has a mandate until 2028. RUZOMBEROK - People and families must once again be the top priority, said chairman of the opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) Milan Majersky at the party's congress in the town of Ruzomberok (Zilina region) on Saturday, TASR was told by the KDH communications department. According to him, Slovakia needs change. The party also announced that it will prepare the strongest economic and pro-family programme for the election and will promote economic policies that support growth, a stable business environment, and the return of investments to Slovakia. According to Majersky, Slovakia needs to stand again on a healthy foundation. "A strong family is the foundation of a strong state. If we want a strong country, we must create conditions that allow families to live, work, and raise their children with dignity," he said. The party also emphasizes that the country's prosperity begins in the regions and therefore advocates decentralisation and the transfer of a larger share of decision-making and EU funds directly to the regions. Majersky also stated that Slovakia must remain firmly anchored in the European Union and NATO, which are the foundations of the country's security and stability. "Slovakia needs a government that will work for the people, not for itself. KDH is prepared to replace this government and bring economic growth, strong regions, and a credible position in Europe to Slovakia," added Majersky. RUZOMBEROK - The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) will field three candidates for regional governors in the autumn regional election, KDH Council approved at its meeting on Saturday, which preceded the national congress held in the town of Ruzomberok (Zilina region), TASR has learnt from KDH leader Milan Majersky on the same day. Party chairman Majersky will attempt to defend his position as head of Presov region, Igor Janckulik will run in Zilina region, and Lucia Gurbalova will run in Kosice region. Rastislav Mochnacky will be the candidate for Presov mayor. BRATISLAVA - Delegates at the party congress of the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party rejected a proposal to include former party leader Richard Sulik on the SaS slate for the next parliamentary election, TASR was told by the party's communications department on Saturday. They also decided on several personnel changes in the party's governing bodies. Jana Bitto Ciganikova and Martin Barto left the SaS Republican Council, while Ludovit Paulis, Peter Cech, and Miroslava Batovska gained seats in it. "At Saturday's congress, we also voted on a resolution proposed by Dusan Kelle that Richard Sulik should be on the slate for the next parliamentary election. This proposal didn't pass, receiving only two votes, from the proposer, Dusan Kelle, and Jana Bitto Ciganikova," noted SaS leader Branislav Groehling. Groehling sees this as support for his decision and a clear signal that the party wants to focus on the future. "The overwhelming majority of delegates supported my decision. This chapter is closed, and SaS continues to write a new story. Twenty years ago, Slovakia was the Tatra tiger, and SaS wants to be the party that will help Slovakia return to this success in the future government," he added. BRATISLAVA - I'm not going to leave the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party for the time being, Jana Bitto Ciganikova told the media after the SaS congress delegates failed to elect her to the party's Republican Council on Saturday. The congress also rejected a proposal to include former party leader Richard Sulik on the SaS slate for the next parliamentary election. Regarding her future political development, Bitto Ciganikova added that she wants to stand alongside Sulik. "I stay in the party to see how Richard Sulik's candidacy develops. Whether he'll run at all. Honestly, personally, I don't know how to make such a turnaround, when the wind changes, I immediately change my coat. That's not really me. And I can't just abandon the person who created the party that I considered ideal. SaS will simply be different from today onwards," she stated. am