MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 27 April 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, 26 April): BRATISLAVA - Independent MP Jan Ferencak said on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday that he was physically assaulted on Saturday (25 April) in the presence of his daughter when an unknown attacker struck him in the head. According to Ferencak, the attacker was a robust man who attacked him from behind. "I was assaulted with a blow to the head and I fell. Maybe if I hadn't fallen, the attack would have continued. When I stood up, I was bleeding, my head was spinning, and I saw this person running back into a room where an event had just ended," said Ferencak, adding that he immediately called the police. He is also considering some form of protection. According to Ferencak, the case is currently subject to the criminal proceedings. He expects the attacker to be identified, including his intent and motive, as well as who ordered the attack. After the attack, Ferencak ended up at the emergency department with injuries. "I've been advised to undergo further treatment, as I'm still not well," he added. BRATISLAVA - Speaking on STVR's discussion programme 'O 5 minut 12' (Five Minutes to Twelve) on Sunday, Interior Minister and Voice-SD leader Matus Sutaj Estok has ruled out a political motive behind Saturday's (25 April) assault on independent MP and Kezmarok Mayor Jan Ferencak, guaranteeing that the police would investigate everything. "The police will investigate every single case of violence. As a politician, I condemn any violence against representatives of the opposition or the coalition. For me, Mr Ferencak is a closed chapter," said Sutaj Estok. Also on the show, Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) chair Milan Majersky admitted that there could indeed be a political motive. The investigation should be thorough and rigorous to dispel all suspicions. "If an MP is attacked and the attacker even threatens him verbally, then there might have been a political motive," he said, adding that certain doubts may arise in connection with the investigation, as Ferencak is a politically exposed person currently in feud with his former Voice-SD party. Sutaj Estok guaranteed that the investigation will be absolutely independent, carried out by professionals, adding that he's not at odds with Ferencak and considers the decision to expel him from the Voice-SD party to be correct. BRATISLAVA - Speaking on TA3's discussion programme 'V politike' (In Politics) on Sunday, President Peter Pellegrini said he hasn't yet been contacted by the police regarding the allegations of illegal financing of his presidential campaign. "They are free to contact me at any time. I am ready to answer their questions because I have nothing to hide. And if there was anything going on in the background, let it be investigated. (...) But I certainly did not offer or give anything to anyone, and nor did any member of my core campaign team," stated Pellegrini. Regarding the proposed changes to voting from abroad, Pellegrini is concerned about the accessibility of the vote, especially in countries without a Slovak embassy or in terms of ensuring a sufficient number of polling stations in countries with large Slovak communities. In connection with the upcoming parliamentary elections, Pellegrini expects the cracks in the coalition to widen, but he believes there's no risk of the government falling. "In my opinion, the governing coalition and the prime minister will focus only on strategic matters; in doing so, he will always succeed in securing a majority for voting in Parliament," he noted. BRATISLAVA - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has announced a package of measures to provide at least a slight boost to the economy or reduce the pressure of high energy prices on Slovakia's competitiveness, according to a video posted by the prime minister on a social network on Saturday (25 April). At the same time, he expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the European Commission (EC) is "unable to offer urgent pan-European solutions to the urgent crisis in the EU". According to Fico, Slovakia's economy is small and open, as well as export-oriented, thereby reacting sensitively to external factors, particularly the fluctuations in the economic growth of strong economies such as Germany. "We simply do not have sufficient internal resources to overcome these external factors with domestic pro-growth measures. Despite this, we're not giving up the fight," stated Fico, adding that the package of measures will be addressed shortly. ko