MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 13 April 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, 12 April): MARTIN - One of the pilots was killed in a collision between two gliders that took place in a difficult-to-access terrain above the Borisov hill in the Velka Fatra mountains in the district of Martin (Zilina region) on Sunday, Zilina regional police spokesperson Daniela Kockova has confirmed for TASR, adding that the deceased pilot was a Polish national. According to Kockova, one of the gliders was carrying a Polish citizen and a Czech citizen, while the other was flown by an Austrian citizen, who wasn't injured in the accident. A crew of Banska Bystrica-based Air Transport-Europe (ATE) helicopter rescue service responded at the scene. Its spokesperson Zuzana Hopjakova has told TASR that a Czech national sustained injuries to his head and lower limb and was conscious, while another man succumbed to his injuries. The pilots were taking part in the international FCC Gliding competition, which began at Prievidza (Trencin) airport on Sunday, attended by several dozen glider pilots from various countries. The airport's air traffic operations head Lubos Janosik has confirmed the accident for TASR. According to him, the organisers have cancelled Sunday's disciplines following the accident. BRATISLAVA - The general election in Hungary has an impact on Slovakia and may affect the functioning of the European Union (EU) as well, opposition MP Juraj Krupa (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) said on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, adding that the atmosphere in the country "smells of defeat" for Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban. Meanwhile, MEP Judita Lassakova (Smer-SD), also on the show, expects his victory, and in the event of a win by opposition TISZA party leader Peter Magyar, she isn't sure whether he would meet Brussels' expectations. MP and opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) vice-chair Beata Jurik stressed that she wishes for fair elections and a victory for the opposition. Conversely, MEP and far-right Republic party leader Milan Uhrik finds it better for the "protection of national interests" that Orban wins the election. Jurík noted that if Orban wins the election, he would continue pursuing a pro-Russian policy and defending Russian interests in the EU. "What we've seen from various recordings or throughout this entire campaign is that the Hungarian premier, unfortunately just like the Slovak premier, isn't defending the interests of their own citizens, but rather Russian interests," she said. Lassakova disagreed, stressing that defending national interests cannot automatically be equated with collaboration with the Russian Federation. The politicians also discussed the issue of the veto right in the EU in connection with Orban's potential victory. Lassakova stressed that "the principle of unanimity must be preserved in the European Union". Uhrik also views the veto right as crucial for the protection of smaller countries, rejecting its limitation. "At present, the EU's problem isn't the veto right. The Union's problem is that the big players, and especially progressive or liberal politicians, premiers who govern in European countries, don't want to listen to a different opinion," he said. HANOI - Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD), accompanied by Slovak ministers and a business delegation, launched his official visit to Vietnam on Sunday, the Government Office's press department has informed TASR, adding that he will have an exceptionally busy agenda there. "Vietnam is becoming an attractive tourist destination. More than 18,000 Slovaks visited the country in 2025, definitely also thanks to the scrapping of visa duty for our citizens for stays not exceeding 45 days," said Fico in Vietnam. The premier stated that the two countries share a common past, and therefore it's not anything unusual to meet Slovak- or Czech-speaking people in high-ranking posts in Vietnam. On the other hand, a recognised Vietnamese ethnic minority lives in Slovakia, he added. "Vietnam, it is a 100 million population, a success story, our largest trading partner in Southeast Asia and the 3rd largest in the whole of Asia. Above all, it is an incredibly hospitable, friendly and peaceful country," said Fico. The premier further said that he has a working meeting scheduled for Sunday, and that he's going to sign a document on a strategic partnership between Slovakia and Vietnam with his Vietnamese counterpart, Le Minh Hung on Monday (13 April). "The EU itself has signed a strategic partnership with Vietnam, and anyone with common sense must be interested in developing friendly and mutually beneficial economic relations with this Asian tiger," said Fico. His agenda also includes opening of the Slovak–Vietnamese business forum. BRATISLAVA - The current opposition must put cultural and ethical issues aside in a potential future government, opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) leader and MP Milan Majersky said on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday, adding that it should address the economy, health care and education instead. "I also speak to people who vote for Progressive Slovakia (PS) and when I talk to them, they tell me straight away: I agree with you in one thing - it's not good to raise ideological or cultural-ethical issues, as the next government should address the economy, health care, and education," he said. According to Majersky, anyone who wants to be part of a future government must show already in the opposition that they want to be a stable element. He believes that the 'Slovakia' party must also send a clear signal that it won't act in a disruptive manner. "It can happen that the 'Slovakia' party, KDH, PS, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and the Democrats will be compelled to cooperate. And I mean that in a positive sense. If everyone is constructive and adheres to the framework of the agreement they sign, the government manifesto, then I am positive that it will be a good, high-quality coalition," he said. BRATISLAVA - Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, Tourism and Sport Minister Rudolf Huliak (Independent) said that he is making support for further consolidation measures conditional on approval of a proposal to scrap VAT refunds in some sectors. Without such a measure, Huliak sees no reason to support steps that, in his opinion, would burden citizens. "I see no reason to consolidate if they are unwilling to take this measure and if we want to continue to create room for VAT refund-related frauds. I see no reason for us to agree to measures that would affect the wallets and living standards of the people of Slovakia," said the minister. According to Huliak, VAT refunds should be scrapped mainly in the field of advertising, IT and consultancy, where he believes fraud is most common. "We want to guarantee that all VAT refunds are gradually scrapped and ensure that between €900 million and €1 billion, possibly even €1.3 billion, flows into the state budget through VAT collection," said Huliak. Huliak stressed that the measure shouldn't burden households, quite the opposite. "Every Slovak family today pays some €600 a year for VAT fraud. We are bringing a solution that should stop this without affecting people's wallets," he said. jrg