MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Friday, 30 January 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Thursday, 29 January): BRATISLAVA - MPs approved on Thursday an amendment to Parliament's Rules of Procedure by 78 votes. The amendment introduces several changes, for example, it sets a maximum time limit for debates on agenda items. It also specifies undesirable behaviour by MPs and tightens sanctions. The amending proposal also abolishes the obligation to read an amending proposal aloud in the plenary session The amending proposal introduces several changes. The length of time for debate on a particular item will be set at a maximum of 37.5 hours as of now. This time would be divided among parliamentary caucuses and non-affiliated MPs. Parliament can, at the proposal of at least two parliamentary groups, decide to shorten or extend the time limit. "The length of time for debate may not be shorter than 12.5 hours," the proposal states. According to the proposal, MPs are able to register for debate from its beginning, during its course until its conclusion, including repeatedly. An MP is now able to register even if their parliamentary caucus has already exhausted its allotted time, in particular for the purpose of subsequently submitting a written speech or an amending proposal. BRATISLAVA - Members of Parliament must always act with regard to the public interest when performing their duties, it follows from the ethics code approved by the House on Thursday together with an amendment to the Rules of Procedure. The ethics code is intended to set standards and rules for MPs' conduct and behaviour. MPs should refrain from personal insults, vulgar language and expressions that demean the human dignity of another person. "An MP acts honourably, responsibly and conscientiously, in line with professional care, the public interest and good morals. An MP shall refrain from conduct that could unduly endanger or damage public trust in the National Council. An MP communicates with the public, employees of the National Council's Office and with other MPs respectfully, politely and in accordance with standards of decent behaviour," reads the approved ethics code. PARIS/BRATISLAVA - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday, stating that they held a confidential discussion lasting almost two hours. The meeting revolved around nuclear energy, defence, EU competitiveness and Ukraine, the Slovak prime minister reported in a social media post. Fico stated that the meeting demonstrated the closeness between France and Slovakia stemming from their strategic partnership agreement. With respect to cooperation in nuclear energy, the Slovak prime minister confirmed that he'll meet top representatives of Electricite de France (EDF) and Framatome and also take part in a nuclear summit in Paris in March. The leaders addressed defence as well. "Given the concept of a stronger, more independent and more sovereign EU, which I also support, it was natural that we paid attention to the opportunities created by the advanced arms industry in France and the dynamically developing Slovak defence industry," said the prime minister. BRUSSELS/BRATISLAVA – Slovakia has supported the inclusion of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the European Union's list of terrorist organisations, while at the same time pointing to possible risks of such a move for EU citizens, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar said after a session of the EU Council in Brussels on Thursday. "We pointed out one important issue that needs to be borne in mind. The IRGC are so deeply intertwined in the running of the Iranian state that it is very difficult to predict what consequences their (definitive) designation as a terrorist organisation could have, and what this could mean for citizens from the European Union who are in this territory," Blanar said, adding that the EU must consider all the implications of this step. For now, this is only a political agreement, which member states are likely to approve in the coming days after technical talks. TRENCIN - More than €700,000 has been raised in less than a week in Slovakia to purchase generators as part of the 'Heat for Ukraine' fundraiser. The first batch of generators worth some €100,000 was loaded onto a lorry in Trencin on Thursday and will leave for Ukraine soon, said Stanislav Bielik, director of humanitarian organisation Adra, which is coordinating the purchase and transport of the generators. The first lorry was loaded in the presence of Ukrainian Ambassador to Slovakia Myroslav Kastran. Several large and small generators can fit into one lorry, and they will serve hospitals, nursery schools, schools, water utilities and other institutions in Chernihiv in a few days. The entire region is in a critical condition, as constant power outages caused by Russian attacks are repeatedly paralysing it. "We're witnessing how solidarity is being transformed into concrete actions and specific aid. Less than six days have passed since the launch of the 'Heat for Ukraine' fundraiser, and we've already loaded up the first lorry, which will deliver not only generators and powerful charging stations, but also hope to the city of Chernihiv. This result would be impossible without the incredible synergy demonstrated by Slovak civil society today," stressed the ambassador, adding that generators should also leave for Sumy region in the next few days. BRATISLAVA - The Health Ministry presented the medical plan for the new national hospital in the Bratislava borough of Vajnory at the parliamentary health committee meeting on Thursday, anticipating that the health-care facility will provide 1,532 beds when at maximum capacity. "This project is one of the most important modernisation steps taken by the state in health care in the last decade ... The goal is to create a comprehensive, tertiary university hospital that combines prevention, diagnosis, treatment, research and education," said Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) at the committee meeting. According to the plan, the new hospital should have a maximum capacity of 1,532 beds. It should have 24 operating rooms, 22 procedure rooms and 210 outpatient departments. After the committee meeting, the minister specified that the construction of the hospital is expected to cost a total of around €1 billion. He pointed out that expenditures on medical equipment amounting to around €200 million must also be taken into account. ko