MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Wednesday, 27 May 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Tuesday, 26 May): BRATISLAVA - The government acknowledges that local authorities won't be subject to any restrictions when approving their budgets, stated Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) in a video address to delegates at a congress of the Slovak Towns and Villages Association (ZMOS), noting in this context that the government doesn't intend to submit a draft amendment to the constitutional law on budgetary responsibility. The premier is aware that "the Constitutional Act on Budgetary Responsibility and the alleged obligation of local authorities to approve balanced budgets are being discussed from all angles". At the same time, however, he pointed to the current wording of the legislation. "According to the constitutional law, there is no obligation to submit balanced budgets if, as stated in Article 5, Paragraph 11 of the constitutional law, expenditures from public funds resulting from observing international treaties exceed a total of 3 percent of gross domestic product," he stated. "On 21 May, the Statistics Office issued a public report confirming that this 3-percent threshold has been exceeded," he added. The premier stated that under these circumstances, the government doesn't intend to submit a draft amendment to the Constitutional Act on Budgetary Responsibility, and it acknowledges that local authorities won't be subject to any restrictions when approving their budgets. BRATISLAVA - The parliamentary session was suspended on Tuesday after House Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) ordered opposition MP Alojz Hlina (Freedom and Solidarity/SaS) out of the chamber. Gaspar argued that Hlina had violated the rules of procedure by wearing clothing bearing offensive inscriptions. "An official call didn't lead to the remedying of a breach of the rules of procedure. I'm expelling you from the chamber for the rest of today's session," Gaspar told Hlina. Both MP Hlina and SaS leader Branislav Groehling have expressed regret that Parliament is dealing with such matters instead of focusing on the real problems of Slovakia. They explained that the reason for Hlina's expulsion from the chamber was a badge on his jacket bearing the inscription 'We Don't Want the Smer Mafia'. Hlina denied that he had breached the parliamentary rules of procedure, calling Gaspar's decision arbitrary. He pointed out that Gaspar himself interpreted the slogan as referring to the Smer–SD party, whereas he said it was intended to refer to the country's direction ('smer' means 'direction' in Slovak). BRATISLAVA - The junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) won't bring the governing coalition down even if Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) fails to dismiss its nominee, Environment Minister Tomas Taraba, at its request, said SNS leader Andrej Danko in Parliament on Tuesday. Danko wants to meet Taraba for a working lunch on Friday (29 May). In the meantime, the party has submitted an official proposal to dismiss its minister Taraba to Fico. The SNS leader also noted that he expects the premier to keep his word and that, if the situation isn't resolved by the end of September, Taraba will no longer be a minister. "I believe that 30 September was not a speculative deadline, but one that was agreed to seriously. We'll see, we'll talk about it on 30 September, and at that point we'll be able to evaluate what's happened, how it happened, and whether it was complied with," said Danko. According to Danko, the proposal for the minister's dismissal should already be on the premier's desk. He added that all SNS MPs but Peter Kotlar have signed it. When asked why Kotlar hasn't signed it, Danko didn't give a direct answer. PRESOV - The construction of the new hospital in Presov will continue and will be completed, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated on Tuesday after inspecting the construction site, adding that the hospital will be completed in August 2027 and could begin a trial run in March 2028. The premier also announced that starting as of 1 June, a new consortium called 'Team Slovakia' will take over the construction of the hospital. Fico described the defects that have appeared on the construction site as standard technical issues, and, according to him, they will be corrected "on the spot". He added that the construction work will be delayed by only a few weeks or months. "It will be one of the most modern hospitals in Slovakia, and this hospital will be completed," said Fico, praising the work of the construction supervisor, who, according to him, promptly pointed to problems with pouring the concrete for some of the columns. BRATISLAVA - Security, competitiveness, energy stability and a credible European policy will determine whether the European Union (EU) can maintain its strong position in the world and retain the trust of its own citizens, President Peter Pellegrini stated on Tuesday at a meeting with ambassadors of EU-member states held at the Presidential Palace at a time when Cyprus is rounding off its EU Council presidency. Pellegrini praised the way in which Cyprus has held the Presidency of the Council of the EU, highlighting its pragmatic and consensual approach. "Cyprus has offered a practical response and led the Council with professionalism and in a calm and balanced manner. It's shown that the strength of our Union isn't measured by the size of a member state, but by its commitment to the European project," he said, adding that the EU works best when delivering concrete results to citizens in areas affecting their daily lives. The Slovak head of state stressed that Europe must be ready to respond to the changing security and geopolitical environment. "It must be more than just an economic bloc. It must be a geopolitical pillar. It must be united, capable and credible. It must become a true global actor," stated Pellegrini. KOSICE - By its ruling of 12 February to keep Daniel B. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], charged with extremism, in custody, the Supreme Court (NS) violated his fundamental right to personal liberty under the Constitution, as well as his right to liberty and security under the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, according to a verdict issued by the Constitutional Court (US). The Constitutional Court ruled on the constitutional complaint via a panel composed of president Miroslav Duris and judges Jana Baricova and Milos Madar at a non-public session held on 20 May. At the same time, it annulled NS's ruling. According to the Constitutional Court's verdict, NS is obliged to reimburse the complainant's legal costs to the amount of €1,500. The Constitutional Court didn't uphold the remaining part of the constitutional complaint. ko