MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday, 9 June 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, 8 June): BRATISLAVA - Opposition MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia'-'For the People' caucus) has drawn attention to what she considers to be suspect contracts with companies concluded by the Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Ministry as part of a call for digital innovation worth €58 million. "I consider this to be outrageous. This is European money, as it comes from the recovery plan, and we'll file a complaint with the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)," said Remisova on Monday, adding that Investment Minister Samuel Migal (Independent) should disclose the evaluators, the ranking and the benefits of the projects. "We demand that this information should be made public," stated the MP, adding that Migal is "absolutely ripe for an ouster". The lawmaker mentioned a €1.2-million grant to a company based in a prefab apartment building with fictitious revenues, a non-existent phone number, and a history that, in her view, resembles a shell company and 'white horses' [in Slovak, the term 'white horse' denotes a front to hide illegal activities - ed.note]. Remisova stated that the minister approved another €1.3-million subsidy for a company that has no employees or revenues. "The project is supposedly going to be implemented at some site where no one has ever been seen. And, by the way, that project was supposed to be about improving marketing within their own company," she said. According to the lawmaker, another company that operates an online store selling lighting fixtures was set to receive €1.3 million. As in other cases, it registered "research and development" as its business activity a month before the call for proposals was announced. "They signed the contract on 6 May, and the implementation period runs until 30 June," noted Remisova. In her view, it's difficult to write a good, innovative project in such a short time, and implementing it is impossible. BANSKA BYSTRICA - The trial in the Purgatory case, involving allegations concerning the formation and operation of a criminal group within the highest ranks of the police and security bodies between 2012-2018, began at the Specialised Criminal Court (STS) in Banska Bystrica on Monday. The defence lawyers of most of the 11 defendants described the indictment as unfounded and unlawful, alleging that the law-enforcement bodies concerned were biased, withheld evidence, and that the entire preliminary proceedings were tainted by illegality. They requested that the criminal prosecution should be halted. The defendants include Nitra-based businessman Norbert B., incumbent Parliamentary Vice-chair Tibor G., who served as Police Corps president from 2012 to 2018, former special prosecutor Dusan K., and former head of Financial Administration [the tax and customs office] Frantisek I. [names abbreviated due to legal reasons]. All have pleaded not guilty. The same plea was entered by the other defendants, including high-ranking officials of the former National Crime Agency (NAKA) Peter H., Marian Z., Robert K. and Milan M., and former police officer Roman S. BRATISLAVA - Twenty years of membership of the European Union (EU) has brought Slovakia funds worth €25.6 billion, thus contributing to its economic growth, regional convergence and macroeconomic stability, but the efficiency of these investments has been undermined by bureaucracy, weak oversight, insufficient coordination and a low rate of fraud prevention, according to a Supreme Audit Office (NKU) report mapping out the absorption of EU funds between 2004 and 2025, which was presented by NKU head Lubomir Andrassy on Monday. According to Andrassy, Slovakia would deserve a "C grade" for its level of efficiency in drawing EU funds. "The experience of 20 years of [EU] membership confirms that the volume of allocated funds alone isn't a guarantee of success, as the key role is played by the quality of institutions, the strategic focus of investments and the stability of the regulatory environment," states the NKU report. Andrassy stressed that achieving 100-percent absorption isn't the most important objective. "Spending the money simply because it's in the budget is the worst possible approach," he said, noting that an inefficient use of funds has often been caused by time pressure and the set conditions. BRATISLAVA - The Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry has announced eight calls totalling €221.23 million under a strategic plan for the agricultural sector, Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) told a press conference on Monday, adding that the calls are intended for farmers, food producers and foresters. Of the total volume, three calls worth €94.98 million are intended for farmers, one call for €54.25 million for food producers, and four calls totalling €72 million for foresters. Takac specified that the calls designated for farmers include 'Productive Investments in Agricultural Companies', 'Productive Investments (Young Farmer)', and 'Investments in Reducing Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Emissions'. Food-processing companies can invest in expanding their capacities, while foresters can use the funds to increase the water-retention function of forests, as well as for remediation measures and for improving the practices applied in forest management. ORECHOVA POTON - Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD), along with Police Corps President Jana Maskarova and head of the Fire and Rescue Corps (HaZZ) Adrian Mifkovic, have handed over new specialised equipment to police and HaZZ personnel to be used to carry out demanding tasks in the field, during emergencies, and for protecting state borders. The ceremonial handover took place at the Slovakia Ring compound in the municipality of Orechova Poton (Trnava region) on Monday afternoon. The new equipment includes 20 new off-road vehicles for the border police to protect the border with Ukraine. "The price of each vehicle is €78,720, including VAT; the standard list price is 22 percent higher," said the minister. The first stage of delivering 15 off-road vehicles for the Fire and Rescue Corps has been completed. A total of 50 of these vehicles are to be handed over by the end of June. Firefighters will also have 20 new rescue boats at their disposal. Sutaj Estok reported that the last three Scania 4x4 fire engines have also been delivered. "To date, a total of 80 Scania 4x4 vehicles have been handed over to the Fire and Rescue service," he stated, also announcing plans to continue modernising the fleet. "We need to complete the renewal [of equipment] at all stations," added Mifkovic. According to him, another 70 pick-ups and at least 40 vehicles will be needed. "That's a task for the coming period," he said. NAIROBI/BRATISLAVA - Slovakia is responding to the worsening humanitarian situation in Kenya caused by widespread flooding and extreme weather events, with Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar handing over material humanitarian aid to representatives of the Kenya Red Cross immediately after his arrival to Kenya on the first day of his official visit on Monday, TASR learnt from the ministry's press department on the same day. The organisation will ensure its delivery to the communities most affected by the disaster. "It is precisely in times when countries face the consequences of natural disasters and humanitarian crises that the importance of solidarity and reliable partnerships becomes most evident. Slovakia is extending a helping hand where it's needed most — this time in Kenya, one of the programme countries of Slovak development cooperation," the Slovak foreign minister said. Blanar handed over the humanitarian assistance to representatives of the Kenya Red Cross, one of the Kenyan government's main partners in addressing the consequences of natural disasters and providing aid to affected communities. The handover took place in the presence of Kenya's Minister for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano. ko