MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Saturday, 31 October 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Friday, 30 October): BRATISLAVA - Prosecutor-General (PG) Maros Zilinka has overturned a decision by which the prosecution service dropped an investigation into the donation of military equipment to Ukraine, instructing the regional prosecutor in Trencin to handle the case further by reinitiating a criminal investigation and ensuring that pre-trial proceedings are conducted in accordance with the law, Zilinka has posted on social media. Based on a review of decisions regarding investigations into the donation of military equipment to Ukraine during the previous election term, concerning which law-enforcement authorities discontinued several criminal prosecutions, Zilinka instructed them to take further action. "After reviewing the case, I arrived at the conclusion that the decision to discontinue the criminal investigation had been issued prematurely. During the pre-trial proceedings, the facts of the case weren't established to the extent necessary for a decision, in particular with regard to the elements of the crimes under investigation," stated Zilinka. He added that he's reviewed decisions by the Bratislava Regional Prosecutor's Office and the PG Office's Serious Crimes Department, as well as by an investigator from the Police Corps Presidium. According to information provided by law-enforcement authorities in February of this year, three out of four criminal investigations related to assistance to Ukraine during the previous electoral term had been closed. Cases concerning the donation of MiG-29 fighter jets, the S-300 air-defence system and the termination of a contract with a Russian company servicing the jets were closed either by halting criminal proceedings or rejecting criminal complaints. The Defence Ministry responded by saying that it would file a motion to review the decisions. At that time, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) said that the prosecution service had entered the political battle on the side of the opposition. According to him, head of the Regional Prosecutor's Office Rastislav Remeta was trying to show the opposition that he's a suitable candidate to become the next prosecutor-general. In September, the Prosecutor-General's Office stated that it had reviewed decisions by the police and the Bratislava Regional Prosecutor's Office in the case involving the donation of military equipment to Ukraine and concluded that, based on the conclusions arrived at by the Serious Crime Department at that time, the decisions were correct and in accordance with the law. Former defence minister (2020-23) and leader of the extra-parliamentary Democrats party Jaroslav Nad declared that, when donating military equipment to Ukraine, the former government acted in accordance with Slovak and international law, including the Chapter of the United Nations, as the UN Chapter states that there is an obligation to help a country under attack. MARTIN - At a ceremony held at the Turcianska Gallery in Martin (Zilina region) on Friday, Czech-Slovak Mutual Understanding Awards were presented to former Czech president Milos Zeman and Slovakia's ex-president Rudolf Schuster. Zeman received the award from Slovak Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD), while Schuster was given his award by Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies Tomio Okamura. "This award is even more valuable at an age like mine, because you already think you're finished. But when people remember you, especially in connection with Czechoslovak matters, it gives me a good feeling, because I still remember so much," said Schuster after receiving the award. The award is an expression of recognition for individuals who, through their public service, have contributed to developing and strengthening relations between Slovakia and the Czech Republic. "I appreciate the fact that we've both received this award, as we're former presidents, and that means we can't offer anything in return for this honour. In other words, it is given selflessly. And there are many other awards that are given with the expectation of some kind of quid pro quo," said Zeman. The awards ceremony took place, symbolically, on the 108th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Slovak Nation in Martin, via which, on 30 October 1918, Slovak representatives pledged their commitment to a future alongside the Czech nation. The Czech-Slovak Mutual Understanding Award was established as a joint initiative by House Chairs Rasi and Okamura. "We said that we'd begin to honour figures who have contributed to Czechoslovak relations, with the Czech speaker nominating a Slovak and the Slovak speaker nominating a Czech. As it turned out, we selected two presidents who are truly significant figures and who have contributed greatly to these relations," emphasised Rasi. The awards ceremony was the highlight of the Czech-Slovak programme in Martin. On Thursday (29 October), a bust of General Milan Rastislav Stefanik was ceremonially unveiled on the grounds of national heritage institution Matica slovenska. The accompanying programme also included a Czech-Slovak charity football match between MPs, while on Friday a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Memorial Plaque to the Declaration of the Slovak Nation on the old Tatra Banka building in Martin. BRATISLAVA - With the setting up of the Czechoslovak Republic (CSR), our ancestors' aspirations to give the Slovak nation a dignified and equal position were realised thanks to the efforts and statesmanship shown by the founders of the new state, as well as by the participants in the meeting in Martin (Zilina region), stated President Peter Pellegrini on social media on Friday to mark the 108th anniversary of the adoption of the Martin Declaration, via which Slovaks declared their allegiance to the Czechoslovak Republic as a common state of Czechs and Slovaks. "They joined forces, rose above their differences of opinion and focused on a common goal. I very much wish that we could demonstrate the same wisdom and foresight today, when Slovakia needs it once again," stated Pellegrini. He added that the participants in the meeting in Martin adopted the declaration independently of the creation of Czechoslovakia on 28 October 1918, which underscores their sincerity and spontaneity. "Although the coexistence of Slovaks and Czechs in a shared state lasted only a few decades, the friendship between our two nations is an enduring value that we can rely on even today," stated Pellegrini. Two days after the Czechoslovak National Committee adopted a law establishing the independent Czechoslovak Republic in Prague on 28 October 1918, an assembly was held in Turciansky Svaty Martin [the former name of the town - ed.note] at which the participants adopted the Declaration of the Slovak Nation, also known as the Martin Declaration. Friday (30 October) marks 108 years since the adoption of the declaration by which Slovaks joined the Czechoslovak Republic in a common state with the Czechs. BRATISLAVA - Had a parliamentary election been held in October, the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party would have won with 19.1 percent of the vote, according to a poll conducted by AKO agency for television channel Joj 24. The governing Smer-SD party would have finished second with the support of 16.6 percent of voters, followed by the far-right Republic party with 10.4 percent. The opposition 'Slovakia' party would have made it into Parliament as well, garnering 9.9 percent, followed by the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party on 8.6 percent, the junior coalition Voice-SD on 8.2 percent, the Christian Democrats (KDH) on 7.3 percent, and the extra-parliamentary Democrats on 5.1 percent of the vote. The parties failing to make it past the 5-percent election threshold required to win seats in Parliament would have included the junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS - 4.5 percent), the Hungarian Alliance (4.4 percent), 'Right to Truth' (2.9 percent), and 'We Are Family' (2.1 percent). The remaining parties would have garnered less than 1 percent of the votes. The poll was conducted between 21-28 October. BRATISLAVA - The transfer of shares between Dutch company Achmea and Dovera health-insurance company has been finalised, meaning that Dovera definitively took over Union health insurer on Friday, both health insurers have told TASR after the European Commission approved the transaction. "Having fulfilled all the necessary regulatory conditions, Dovera has thus become the sole shareholder of Union insurer. The acquisition is being financed by a shareholder of Dovera, and no funds earmarked for the payment of health-care costs will be used for this purpose," they stated. "Union insurer, which provides commercial insurance, remains owned by Achmea and will continue to operate in Slovakia under the Union brand," they added. The health insurers stated that nothing will change for policyholders at this stage, and that both insurance companies will continue to operate independently. The next step will be to merge the companies under a single brand, with policyholders informed of the timetable well in advance. Achmea and Dovera, a member of the Penta investment group, signed an agreement on 14 July to transfer the shares of Union health insurer to Dovera with the stated aim of creating a stronger foundation for the further development of health insurance in Slovakia. The Health-care Supervision Authority approved the application for the transfer of shares at the end of September. BRATISLAVA - The Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize group has agreed to acquire 100 percent of Tesco's business in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with the transaction now being subject to regulatory approvals, according to Jiri Marecek from Albert Ceska republika, a subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize, which runs supermarkets in the Czech Republic. The total value of the company is €1.7 billion, and, after taking lease liabilities into account, Ahold Delhaize will pay some €1.2 billion. After all relevant regulatory approvals are granted and customary closing conditions are met, the transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027, added Marecek. "The acquisition is an important step in strengthening our position in the Central and South-Eastern European region, bringing together two highly complementary businesses with strong local market knowledge. It also gives us the opportunity to enter the attractive Slovak market," said Frans Muller, chief executive officer at Ahold Delhaize. After completing the transaction, Ahold Delhaize will significantly expand its presence in the Czech grocery retail market, while it will simultaneously enter the Slovak market as a major player, thus further supporting the group's growth, investment and competitiveness. Tesco Czech Republic and Slovakia operates a network of more than 360 supermarkets, hypermarkets and smaller stores, as well as more than 100 franchise stores, generating revenues of some €3.5 billion and employing more than 14,000 people. am