MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, 27 July 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, 26 July): BRATISLAVA - The best course of action for the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party is to stand alone in the next parliamentary election, MP and SaS vice-chair Maria Kolikova said on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday, confirming that, should SaS be part of a new government, she would aspire to become justice minister once again. "It seems to us that the best course of action is for our party to go it alone. Our poll ratings are rising. It seems we're doing a good job politically. Special thanks also go to chairman Branislav Groehling for the direction he's taken and the way he's leading the whole party, as well as to the new people who have joined us and are strengthening the party as a whole," she stated. The MP declared that she aspires to become justice minister once again, explaining that she'd like to see through reforms within the judiciary and the organisation of the courts. At the same time, she outlined measures relating to the rule of law and the fight against corruption. She also spoke of the need for a change in criminal policy. BRATISLAVA - The Transport Ministry has denied claims by the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party that the weighbridges used to weigh heavy goods vehicles aren't working. The ministry confirmed to TASR that there's sufficient number of them, with the Slovak Road Administration (SSC) operating ten and the National Highway Company (NDS) nine. The Transport Ministry was responding to the Liberals' claim that, of the 17 smart dynamic weighbridges, only three are fully functional. "The Transport Ministry recognises the importance of weighing vehicles in traffic as one of the tools for protecting road infrastructure and improving road safety," said ministry spokeswoman Petra Polacikova, pointing out that penalties for unauthorised overloaded and oversized transport are governed by the Road Traffic Act, which came into force on 1 January 2023. BRATISLAVA - Slovak firefighters have completed their first day of operations at a large-scale forest fire in the Le Temple area near the town of Lacanau in western France, the Fire and Rescue Corps (HaZZ) posted on social media on Sunday, adding that during the aerial firefighting operation, the Slovak crew carried out 25 water drops. The Slovak crew worked alongside French and Czech firefighters during the operation. Through this joint operation, they provided support to ground units in extinguishing the fire. According to HaZZ, the fire in which the Slovak firefighters are involved is exceptionally challenging. The blaze has affected approximately 30,000 hectares of land, and more than 100,000 residents have been evacuated from the affected areas. Over 1,000 firefighters are involved in extinguishing the blaze, with more than 300 pieces of firefighting equipment and all available aerial resources deployed. BRATISLAVA - President Peter Pellegrini is scheduled to leave for China on Sunday evening, the President's Office told TASR on Sunday, adding that the three-day state visit is taking place at the invitation of Chinese head of state Xi Jinping. Pellegrini will also meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji. The Slovak president's itinerary for the trip also includes visits to major technology centres. "The official talks between the presidents will focus on the further development of Slovak-Chinese relations, economic cooperation and current international issues. ... Discussions with Chinese officials will also cover support for high value-added investment and the development of cooperation in science and research, industry, transport, logistics, agriculture and tourism," stated the office. ko