MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Thursday, 29 October 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Wednesday, 28 October): BRATISLAVA - President Peter Pellegrini has already referred the proposal to appoint Environment Ministry State Secretary Filip Kuffa as environment minister to the Constitutional Court, seeking its interpretation of the Constitution in order to resolve the question of whether the head of state has the right to reject, in justified cases, the prime minister's proposal to appoint a specific minister, TASR learnt from the President's Office's communications department on Wednesday. "The Slovak president maintains that appointing a minister who, during his tenure as a state secretary at the same ministry, was in office when several criminal investigations were initiated wouldn't send a positive signal as regards public trust in the state and its institutions," stated the President's Office. The president makes no distinction between nominees or the political parties that proposed them, stated the Presidential Palace, citing as evidence the president's statement on Tuesday (27 October) that, for example, in the case of Parliament's proposal to reappoint Peter Kazimir as Governor of the Slovak Central Bank (NBS), he would make a decision on this nomination only after a final court ruling established the candidate's innocence. BRATISLAVA - Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko has urged President Peter Pellegrini not to delay the appointment of Environment Ministry State Secretary Filip Kuffa to the post environment minister. At a press conference held on Wednesday, Danko said that the SNS presidium will discuss the further course of action next week. "I think the president is now overstepping his powers and knows very well that, as far as his position regarding the Constitutional Court is concerned, this is just a delaying tactic," said Danko. He pointed out that the prime minister chooses cabinet members after consulting coalition partners. "Whenever a CV is delivered to the Presidential Palace, the president is clearly obliged under the Constitution to appoint the minister during the government's tenure," added Danko. BRATISLAVA - The Slovak Armed Forces resumed full responsibility for protecting Slovak airspace on Wednesday morning, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) told a press conference following the government's meeting on the same day, adding that airspace is protected by F-16 fighter jets with the help of ground units equipped with air-defence systems. Kalinak also said that another battery of the Israeli Barak MX air-defence system should arrive in Slovakia by the end of the year, while a third battery is expected next year. "In line with our commitment in the government manifesto as regards restoring sovereignty over the protection of Slovak airspace, we've taken all the necessary steps to be able to make this announcement today. I keep my fingers crossed for all Slovak pilots, the air force and the entire armed forces that have worked very hard over the past months and weeks to make this happen," stated Kalinak. BRATISLAVA - Even in these uncertain times, Slovakia and the Czech Republic should build on the solid foundations of their shared history, strengthen their partnership, and join forces in addressing major challenges affecting the future of both Europe and the region, President Peter Pellegrini stated on Wednesday to mark the 108th anniversary of setting up the first Czechoslovak Republic. He attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial of Czechoslovak Statehood and the Memorial of General Milan Rastislav Stefanik in Bratislava alongside Czech Ambassador to Slovakia Rudolf Jindrak. Pellegrini recalled the legacy of the state's founders - Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, Milan Rastislav Stefanik and Edvard Benes - ho managed to unite for the good of both nations and did everything they could to jointly achieve their goal and the right to self-determination. "Just as they were able to unite and agree on the need to set up a common state, today we - as two neighbouring nations and states today - should be able to seek common goals on major issues shaping Europe and our region," said Pellegrini, expressing his confidence that relations between the two countries would continue to flourish. BRATISLAVA - Progressive Slovakia (PS) has invited representatives of opposition parties to a rally which is due to be held in Bratislava on 17 November, with civil society to be involved as well, PS leader Michal Simecka told a press conference on Wednesday, adding that the rally aimed at commemorating the values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law will take place on SNP Square at 5:30 p.m. According to Simecka, it will also send a message to the government that its time is up next year. "I've been in contact with virtually all the parties that consider themselves to be in opposition and want political change next year, inviting them to celebrate 17 November together and send a message to the government," said Simecka. He added that PS has invited Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), the Christian Democrats (KDH), the Democrats, 'Slovakia', the Hungarian Alliance, 'We Are Family and Team Sulik', the Conservatives - Christian Union, and 'For the People'. BRATISLAVA - Representatives of the Slovak Nuclear Energy Company (JESS) and US company Westinghouse on Wednesday signed a contract for the provision of preliminary project engineering services in connection with the new nuclear power facility in Jaslovske Bohunice. After the signing of the contract, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) admitted that the project had been delayed by eight to ten months. However, he believes that nothing will stop the process now. "I'm pleased that this technical document has been signed. It's a small step, but a very important one. After this, there will be even more serious steps to follow," said Fico. The new unit is to be rated at 1,100 megawatts (MW), whereas a capacity of 1,200 MW had previously been discussed, said Fico. As he told the US partners, he wants to make sure that the project preparation process becomes irreversible even after the 2027 elections. ko