SUMMARY - Monday, 23 March 2026 - 5 p.m.

Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini on Monday signed an amendment to the Criminal Code that annuls the decision to scrap the Whistleblowers Protection Office (UOO) and replace it with another agency, TASR learnt from the President's Office's communications department on the same day. https://etasr.sk/article/23112232 Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - The extra-parliamentary Democrats party is calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) and is handing over more than 384,000 signatures collected to President Peter Pellegrini to declare a referendum on shortening the current government's term, representatives of the Democrats party announced at a press conference in front of the Presidential Palace on Monday. https://etasr.sk/article/23112184 Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - The President's Office has received a petition from the Democrats party calling for a referendum, the communications department of the office told TASR on Monday, adding that President Peter Pellegrini will make a decision before the statutory deadline. https://etasr.sk/article/23112377 Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - Investors bought government bonds worth a total of €417 million during the three weeks of this year's sale intended for the public, the Finance Ministry reported on Monday. https://etasr.sk/article/23112410 Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - More than 20 cultural organisations and institutions have called on the Arts Support Fund (FPU) to respect valid contracts and sign amendments for 2026, otherwise they are prepared to take any legal steps, including seeking damages, they indicated at their press conference held on Monday, where they highlighted the impacts of the FPU Council's decision to cancel valid contracts for multi-year projects. https://etasr.sk/article/23112456 Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - A consulate representing Monaco could open in Slovakia in the near future and this would represent a step toward mutual support for diplomatic relations, business, the arts and sport stated Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) following a meeting with President of the National Council of Monaco Thomas Brezzo at Bratislava Castle on Monday. https://etasr.sk/article/23112611 Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - Local governments in Slovakia are also being affected by the conflict in the Middle East, as it's contributing, via rising fuel and gas prices, to an increase in the cost of goods and services for towns and cities, Slovak Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS) chair Jozef Bozik told TASR on Monday. https://etasr.sk/article/23112567 Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - At its regular meeting scheduled for 4 May, the Economic and Social Council (the tripartite) is set to discuss the current state of public finances, an assessment of the consolidation measures taken to date, and preparations for further measures in 2027, National Union of Employers (RUZ) head Miroslav Kiralvarga stated at this year's first tripartite meeting on Monday, which was convened after a 3.5-month hiatus. https://etasr.sk/article/23112505 Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - The Economy Ministry has declared that it's thoroughly examining the situation regarding the leak of people's personal data from its records and is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities. https://etasr.sk/article/23112355 Kosice, 23 March (TASR) - Slovakia's water infrastructure is in a critical condition, resulting in the loss of potable water due to leaky pipes, representatives of the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party told a news conference in Kosice on Monday. https://etasr.sk/article/23112261 Bratislava, 23 March (TASR) - A list containing the personal data of people who had requested to be excluded from the new energy aid scheme has probably been leaked from the Economy Ministry, opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) representatives told a news conference on Monday. https://etasr.sk/article/23112161 Notice: If you click on the link or copy it into the search window, the browser will display the full text of the message in the new e-TASR client zone. If you have any questions, please contact obchod@tasr.sk. am