MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday, 23 June 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Monday, 22 June): BRATISLAVA - Transport Minister Jozef Raz (Smer-SD nominee) will run for the post of Bratislava mayor in this year's election in the autumn as an independent candidate. Raz announced this at a press conference on Monday. According to Raz, Bratislava does not need more ideology and political disputes, but concrete solutions. His priorities include improving transport, housing construction and public safety. "I am running on my own decision as an independent candidate, and I am certainly not running on behalf of any political party, nor against anyone," Raz said, adding that no political party will provide financial support for his campaign. He said he plans to fund the campaign from his own resources and that it will be conducted in a factual and respectful manner. Regarding his position as transport minister, Raz said that if he were to win the election, the current deputy minister could serve as an alternative for the remaining year of the government's term at the ministry. He noted, however, that appointing any potential successor is not within his authority. BRATISLAVA - Vaccination at pharmacies is entering the final phase of implementation and the accreditation of the training programme for pharmacists is being finalised, Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) stated on Monday, adding that if the accreditation programme launches on 1 July, the first pharmacists could begin administering vaccines as early as December of this year after completing the programme. "In Slovakia, we have a legislative framework and rules in place for the safe administration of vaccines in pharmacies. We are currently finalising another key step - the accreditation of a training programme for pharmacists, who will be able to vaccinate adult patients upon completion of the programme. They will undergo at least six months of certification training, which will include theoretical instruction, practical training, and a final certification exam. The requirements will include a course on emergency life support lasting at least eight hours," he wrote on social media. BRATISLAVA - The National Unit for Combating Organised Crime (UBOK) carried out a large-scale police operation, codenamed Urus, over the weekend targeting an organised crime group suspected of extensive international drug trafficking, with ten people detained and nine charged, police reported on social media on Monday. More than 170 officers took part in the operation, including personnel from the National Unit for Combating Organised Crime of the Police Presidium, rapid response police units from regional directorates and other specialised police departments. "The operation was conducted simultaneously at several locations across Slovakia. Police carried out six house searches and one search of other premises. Ten individuals were detained, including nine Slovak nationals and one British national," police said. Based on evidence secured so far, nine Slovak citizens have been charged with founding, orchestrating and supporting a criminal group, as well as with the aggravated offence of the unlawful production and trafficking of narcotic and psychotropic substances. BRATISLAVA - A severe storm that swept through Bratislava on Sunday (21 June) caused damage within the grounds of Bratislava Castle and around other properties managed by Parliament, House chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) announced on social media, adding that clean-up operations have been under way since Monday morning. "Yesterday's storm did not spare Bratislava Castle, where it caused damage within the grounds and around buildings administered by Parliament. My gratitude goes to all the workers who have been dealing with the aftermath since the morning and doing everything possible to ensure the safety of visitors," Rasi said. Parliament said workers were also inspecting damaged areas, underlining that all necessary measures to ensure visitor safety were taken immediately after the incident. HLOHOVEC - The Environment Ministry has prepared an international public tender for the removal of hazardous waste from the Vlcie Hory landfill near the town of Hlohovec in Trnava region, the ministry's communications department told TASR on Monday, adding that the ministry plans to announce the tender, with an estimated value of €12 million, in the coming days. "We're launching an international tender to dispose of approximately 90 metric tonnes of hazardous waste stored in plastic drums. And that is the fundamental difference between me and my predecessors, who would go to all these environmental sites just to have their photos taken, but didn't know what to do about them," stated Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee), pointing to the recent removal of toxic waste from the Chemko Strazske site in Kosice region, and the planned disposal of tar near the village of Predajna in Banska Bystrica region. Companies based in European Union member states will be eligible to participate in the tender. Bidders will have to demonstrate professional competence in handling hazardous waste, possess the necessary permits, and provide a financial guarantee of €500,000 euros. The terms of the tender will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union. BRATISLAVA - A young woman who was struck by a car on Sunday evening (21 June) in Bratislava died in hospital from her injuries, spokeswoman for the University Hospital in Bratislava (UNB) Eva Kliska stated on Monday. The Slovak Archery Federation told TASR that the victim was Denisa Hurban Barankova, a member of the Slovak national archery team. "Late in the evening, a young woman who had been struck by a car was brought to our hospital. The patient was in very critical condition, unconscious and suffering from multiple severe injuries. Despite the enormous efforts of our medical staff, unfortunately, we were unable to save her, and she succumbed to her injuries," stated Kliska. ko