Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has demanded a suspension of the European Union's Emissions Trading System (ETS), the bloc's primary tool for cutting industrial carbon output. He argues the move is vital to relieve pressure on manufacturers and enhance Europe's economic competitiveness.

Fico's challenge strikes at the heart of the EU's climate policy, which places a price on carbon to drive a green transition. The call comes as European industries grapple with high energy costs and global competition, particularly from regions with less stringent environmental rules.

The ETS, launched in 2005, covers power plants and factories, generating billions in revenue for green investments. A suspension would disrupt carbon pricing and could spark a wider political debate within the EU about balancing climate goals with industrial policy.