MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 27 June 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 26 June): BRATISLAVA - Tax Freedom Day, the date on which citizens symbolically pay off all their due payments to the state and start working for themselves, fell on June 28 this year, which is a slight worsening compared to 2025, when this day fell on June 26, the Freedom and Business Institute (ISP) chairman Jan Oravec told a news conference on Friday. "The exact time of Tax Freedom Day, 28 June at 11:38 a.m., is more than just a symbolic figure. It shows that Slovaks spend almost half of the year working to finance the public sector. The main reason for this deterioration isn't only the current budget deficit but, above all, demographic pressure, which will continue to place increasing demands on public finances in upcoming decades," explained Oravec. "Without fundamental structural reforms, strict spending limits and a tax brake, Slovakia will continue to move further away from sustainable public finances and a competitive economy," he said. According to the European Commission's (EC) autumn economic forecast, public expenditure will reach 48.9 percent of GDP in 2026. Slovakia therefore ranks in the lower half of EU countries in terms of tax burden and the redistribution rate, noted Oravec. BRATISLAVA - The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party will submit several proposals to the September House session aimed at addressing violence against women, the party's media department has informed TASR. It plans to push for the introduction of a new crime called drink spiking, in which a perpetrator drugs another person without his or her knowledge. "We'll submit several proposals to the parliamentary session that will bring necessary solutions, particularly concerning restraining orders, the notification duties of state authorities towards victims of violence, and introducing a new crime, the so-called drink spiking," said MP Zuzana Stevulova (PS). PS representatives also criticised the governing coalition for not implementing systematic changes in the legislation that would actually help victims of violence. They called on Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD) to come up with draft measures to the House session. "Ideally, he would immediately present a proposal to implement the EU directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence, which we are supposed to transpose by next year at the latest," said Stevulova. BRATISLAVA - In times of persistent armed conflicts and growing security challenges, it's essential to ensure consistent respect for international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations (UN), as only adherence to these values, including peaceful dialogue, may contribute to preserving international peace, security and stability, said Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar (Smer-SD) on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the UN Charter. According to Blanar, the historic moment in San Francisco on 26 June 1945, when the founding treaty of the oldest international organisation was signed, is remembered not only as a major milestone in the history of international relations, but also as a confirmation of a shared commitment to consistently respect the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Blanar stressed that the UN was established in the wake of the tragedies of World War II with the aim of maintaining international peace and security, promoting cooperation among states, and creating a framework for addressing global challenges through dialogue and diplomacy. BRATISLAVA - Slovakia is sending a rescue team to Venezuela following the recent earthquakes, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) announced on social media on Friday, adding that the team consists of 15 firefighters, four dog handlers and two search dogs, and will bring two tonnes of equipment. "On Sunday morning (28 June), they will set off to help where they are needed most," stated Sutaj Estok. Two consecutive earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 struck Venezuela on Wednesday (24 June) evening local time, with the worst damage reported in the northern state of La Guaira and the coastal area north of Caracas. Houses collapsed near the epicentre in Moron, Carabobo State, leaving local residents without water and electricity. The death toll has reached 589, with around 3,000 people injured and dozens rescued. BRATISLAVA - The measures designed to curb truancy and protect the social welfare system from abuse are not aimed at punishing anyone, Voice-SD leader and Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok told a press conference on Friday, with other Voice-SD ministers also attending. According to the ministers, restrictive measures alone are not a solution, and every decision should be accompanied by specific support. Labour, Social Affairs and the Family Minister Erik Tomas (Voice-SD) defended a proposed set of anti-truancy measures that is currently undergoing an inter-departmental review. Under the proposal, if a family's situation does not improve after child benefit payments have been redirected to the local municipality as a special recipient for three months, the state will stop paying the benefit altogether. KOSICE - The governing coalition Smer-SD party will support Voice-SD's candidate Igor Simko for Kosice region governor in the autumn regional elections, Smer-SD vice-chair and Agriculture Minister Richard Takac and Smer-SD regional chairman Viliam Zahorcak announced in Kosice on Friday. Zahorcak and Simko, who heads Voice-SD in the region, also signed a cooperation agreement concerning local and regional elections in Kosice region. Therefore, Smer-SD will not field its own candidate for Kosice region governor but will back Simko instead. "Our discussions have convinced me that he is a suitable, good and correct candidate with whom agreement is possible and who has all the qualities needed not only to be an excellent candidate but also an excellent regional governor," said Zahorcak. Smer-SD deputy chair Takac expressed hope that such alliances could be formed in regions across Slovakia. "It probably won't be like that everywhere, but here in Kosice region, it's an example of mutual cooperation between political parties that are very strong within the government coalition, and that deserves recognition," said Takac. jrg