MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Thursday, 4 June 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Wednesday, 3 June): BRATISLAVA - Parliament on Wednesday again failed to debate a motion to dismiss Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD), as it lacked a quorum when attempting to open the session at a second attempt. Only 58 MPs were present in the chamber. The plenary will attempt to discuss the motion again on Thursday, 4 June, with the extraordinary session scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. The motion of no confidence in Kalinak was submitted by the opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH). The party criticised his handling of issues surrounding the construction of a hospital in Presov, which was suspended in April. It alleged failures in the political management and oversight of a strategic state investment and expressed concerns about cost overruns and delays to the project. BRATISLAVA - The government at its session on Wednesday approved a package of 49 measures designed to help stabilise the business environment, with the changes concerning, for example, electricity prices, the use of the modernisation fund, reducing red tape, and increasing the funding package for energy-intensive businesses from the proceeds of emissions-allowance sales. Of these, 11 are legislative measures in the form of a draft law, 32 measures will be implemented by the end of the year in the form of legislative or non-legislative proposals, and six measures are currently already in the legislative process. The government has also asked Parliament to discuss the proposal via a fast-tracked legislative procedure. "The main objectives of the measures are to reduce energy and administrative costs for businesses, to increase investment activity and support for innovation, to improve business conditions and reduce the bureaucratic burden, to increase the availability of labour, to strengthen regional development, and to ensure that public and European resources are used more efficiently," stated the Economy Ministry in its explanatory report. BRATISLAVA - I reject criticism from employers who claim that the proposed economic stabilisation package won't lead to any growth and represents only a slight improvement in the business environment, stated Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) following the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, adding that the government hasn't deceived anyone and that it's done what was agreed upon. The premier called on business leaders to "calm down", telling them that their statements don't reflect reality and that the government isn't a punchbag. "I don't understand what employers are talking about, because this document is essentially their brainchild. They came and put a whole range of various measures on the table that they would like to adopt in order to improve the business environment somewhat. That's why it seems strange to me when someone says that zero is being submitted for discussion. Here's a bill that sets out a whole range of specific measures," emphasised Fico. The prime minister stated that business leaders had originally proposed, for example, shortening lunch breaks from 30 to 15 minutes, reducing the number of days off to care for a family member, and extending trial periods for new employees from three to six months. "So watch out: two worlds have collided. There's the business world and there's the world of social democracy. We are a social-democratic government, and I support what Labour Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) did when he disagreed with certain measures that explicitly went against existing standards of labour law protection for people," added Fico. BRATISLAVA - Given its energy mix and plans in terms of nuclear energy, Slovakia doesn't need wind farms, said Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) after the cabinet session held on Wednesday. "The Slovak Republic has some administrative obligations arising from the Recovery and Resilience Plan adopted by the previous government, and I repeat, these are administrative obligations, but as prime minister, I'm officially announcing that Slovakia doesn't need wind farms," said Fico. According to him, Slovakia's energy mix is "excellent", as the country generates 85 percent of its electricity from carbon-free sources. "We have interconnectors in place with all our neighbours, and we're a net exporter of electricity. Considering that 85 percent is carbon-free, we're among the world's best. On top of that, we naturally want to add to this our plans for constructing a new nuclear power source," stated Fico. PARIS - The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has lowered its growth forecasts for the Slovak economy for this year and next, TASR has reported based on an OECD report. The OECD expects Slovakia's gross domestic product to grow by 0.7 percent this year and by 1.6 percent in 2027. As recently as December 2025 it projected growth of 1.1 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. "The global energy price shock and weak automotive production have constrained trade and consumption. The absorption of EU funds will continue to support investment in 2026, but heightened economic uncertainty will dampen capital formation going forward. Persistently higher energy prices, the future fiscal consolidation mix and lower-than-expected growth in Europe, especially in the automotive sector, represent clear downside risks to the outlook," the OECD stated in its latest report on Slovakia, which is part of its report on the global economic outlook. According to the OECD, in order to ensure that the required fiscal adjustment path is achieved, it is key to keep shifting its composition from increasing revenues to restraints on spending. BRATISLAVA - Slovakia is not in the group of countries that is considering the possibility of placing nuclear weapons on their territory, said Vice-premier and Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) following the cabinet session on Wednesday in connection with media-reported considerations by the USA and interest shown by Poland and the Baltic states. At the same time, he understands Poland's position as part of its firm approach to defence. According to him, Slovakia's northern neighbour is becoming one of the pillars of NATO. "I understand their request, and it's up to their government to decide. However, we have a somewhat different opinion, we're not supporters of nuclear weapons," stressed Kalinak. He understands the point of a nuclear deterrence strategy, but he stressed that deploying nuclear weapons contributes in a certain way to escalation. In his view, such escalation would certainly occur if a nuclear arsenal was located in the Baltic states. ko