MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, 25 October 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 24 October): BRATISLAVA - Polling stations across most of Slovakia have closed, and local electoral commissions are beginning to count the votes. Polling stations are remaining open for longer in the villages of Breziny (Banska Bystrica region), Hran (Kosice region), Luka (Trencin region) and in the town of Turzovka (Zilina region). This is due to a suspension of voting or the late opening of a polling station. The election moratorium is therefore being extended in Trencin Region until 8.10 p.m., in Zilina region until 8.22 p.m., in Banska Bystrica region until 8.30 p.m. and in Kosice region until 8.50 p.m. According to the Interior Ministry, the moratorium ended at 8.00 p.m. in the other four regions. The Interior Ministry reported that the combined local elections proceeded peacefully. Longer queues formed outside some polling stations during the day. Thousands of police officers were on hand to oversee the voting. They dealt with dozens of complaints relating to the election day. For example, they are investigating a case of electoral corruption, in connection with which one person was detained in Presov region. The police also dealt with criminal complaints regarding defamation and breaches of the moratorium. Several polling stations experienced problems with ballot papers during the day. BRATISLAVA - Voter turnout in the regional elections is expected to reach 46.45 percent, which equates to 2,023,679 voters, according to unofficial preliminary results published by the Statistics Office. So far, 98.14 percent of confirmed polling station records have been processed. According to preliminary figures, 2,013,964 of the 2,023,679 registered voters cast their ballots. A total of 4,356,492 voters were registered for these elections. Voter turnout in the regional elections four years ago, in 2022, stood at 43.74 percent. At that time, 1,951,522 voters turned out to vote. BRATISLAVA - Matus Vallo has declared himself the winner of the mayoral election in Bratislava, stating that for the next four years he'll be the head of Bratislava's local authority for all people, without distinction, TASR has learnt at a press briefing at his election headquarters. "I think we can say that I'll be the mayor of our beloved city for the next four years," said Vallo after more than a third of the votes had been counted, thanking everyone who came out to vote. "After eight years, if the people elect you, it's no longer just about promises. It's also because of what people can see - how we're changing our city. That makes it all the more difficult to be elected for a third term. I'm glad we've managed it. It's a huge responsibility for me," he said. According to him, the residents of Bratislava don't want the capital to be run in the same way that Smer-SD runs Slovakia. "Together with our coalition partners, we've shown that working together makes sense. This model has worked in Bratislava, and I firmly believe that in a year's time it'll work across the whole of Slovakia," noted Vallo. In addition to Vallo (Team Bratislava, PS, SaS, Democrats), the candidates for the post of Bratislava mayor included Transport Minister Jozef Raz (Independent), software developer Lubomir Geci (MySlovensko) and economist Zuzana Subova (Pirate Party - Slovakia). KOSICE - Ladislav Lorinc (Kosice Party) considers himself to be the winner of the local elections and wants to be the mayor for all the people of Kosice. Lorinc made the statement on election night and added that he wants to improve safety in the city and make public transport more attractive. Among the first steps he intends to take in his new role, he mentioned tackling the city's waste management issues. "We need to look at the contract with Kosit, for which a public tender is currently underway," he said, emphasising that he's able to work with others and get on with everyone, and that he won't be raising taxes or charges in the city. Lorinc plans to address staffing changes at the city council on the basis of an independent audit. He also wants the deputy mayors' roles to be more than just political positions; instead, they should be entrusted with specific portfolios in which they are experts. Incumbent Kosice mayor Jaroslav Polacek, who stood for re-election, thanked his supporters and colleagues for the past eight years. He emphasised that he is proud of the results of his work, the investments and the projects that the city has managed to get off the ground. He stated that he's leaving the post with pride and expressed the hope that his successor will continue along the same path. "Those eight years have been truly wonderful, and if I'm to leave this post, I'm doing so with pride," Polacek told the media. BRATISLAVA - Juraj Droba is set to remain at the helm of Bratislava self-governing region for another four years, according to unofficial preliminary results published by the Statistics Office. With 65.87 percent of polling stations counted, 70.15 percent of voters cast their ballots for him. He is followed by Rastislav Gajarsky on 11.43 percent. Other candidates for Bratislava governor included Zuzana Krajcovicova (10.20 percent), David Staruch (4.75 percent), Jan Chalabala (1.44 percent), Peter Polacek (1.18 percent) and Ludovit Liska (0.82 percent). "These figures are a testament to the hard work carried out by the entire team at Bratislava self-governing region over the past four years. This is not just my victory; I'm surrounded by a talented team that runs like a well-oiled machine," noted the candidate of the coalition comprising Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), Progressive Slovakia (PS), Democrats and Team Bratislava. Droba also sees his election victory as a boost for his continued work in what is now his third term as head of Bratislava region. "It's a huge commitment not to let up and to carry on," said Droba. BRATISLAVA - Rastislav Trnka is set to remain at the helm of Kosice self-governing region, according to unofficial preliminary results published by the Statistics Office. With 98.4 percent of polling stations counted, Trnka has 31.9 percent of the vote, followed by Marian Porvaznik (30.6 percent). In addition to Trnka (Independent) and Porvaznik (PS, 'Slovakia' party, SaS, KDH, Democrats, 'For the People', OKS, DS-ODS), the candidates for the post of Kosice governor included Dzemal Kodrazi (Independent), Monika Sofiya Sorocinova (Independent) and Igor Simko (Voice-SD, Smer-SD, Republic, 'Right to Truth', SNS, Rural Party, Mayors and Independent Candidates, and Brothers of Slovakia). BANSKA BYSTRICA - President Peter Pellegrini voted at Jan Bakoss primary school in Banska Bystrica on Saturday afternoon after coming with his mother to the polling station for electoral ward No. 8 and having to stand in the queue outside for roughly half an hour. "I'd like to thank everyone who has already voted today, and I want to call on those who haven't yet done so to exercise their right to vote and come cast their ballot papers," said the president. According to him, nearly 80 percent of a person's life and daily situations are influenced by their municipality and self-governing region, while the remainder rests with the state. "That's why it's important for people to really choose who will lead the municipality or city in which they live for the next four years, and to put their trust in the people who deserve it - either those who have proven themselves in previous tenures, or those who have convinced voters that they have the qualities to take up these posts for the first time. The higher the turnout, the more legitimate the results. It's a celebration of democracy, and I'd be delighted to see as many people as possible take part in these regional and local elections," said Pellegrini. BRATISLAVA - I haven't yet decided whether to appoint Filip Kuffa as head of the Environment Ministry and I intend to announce my official decision next week, President Peter Pellegrini stated on Saturday, answering reporters' questions. "I'm, of course, considering that procedure. I'm monitoring the situation very closely and don't wish to become embroiled in the dispute between the former minister, Mr [Tomas] Taraba [an SNS nominee], and the prospective minister, Mr Kuffa. ... I'd like to address the public again on Monday (26 October) or Tuesday (27 October) to announce my decision. But I'm certainly not yet decided today to appoint State Secretary Kuffa as minister. That's all I can reveal to you," said Pellegrini. The head of state also pointed out that the ministry currently has leadership. "The prime minister [Robert Fico (Smer-SD)] himself is currently the acting environment minister and bears full responsibility for it. So I don't think anything dramatic is happening. But my stance on Mr Kuffa, the state secretary, hasn't changed in any way since my last statement, despite the premier's comments, despite the comments from coalition partners and so on," added Pellegrini. am