Archive of articles - August 2002, page 12

No money for elections, says ministry

VW reports increased profits 1H02

Hungarian Minister says

Krajči visited South Africa before Lexa arrest

Slovaks mistrust police

Poll puts HZDS at historic low

Rezeš has questions on father’s death

Slovakia to hire border guards

HealthMin warns on cancer, heart disease

Drunk cops strike again

Fico denies HZD ties

ŽS calls Sk2.2 bil. loss ‘positive’

Judicial Council readies first meeting

Vivendi eyes Slovak water treatment

Reader feedback: Deeds count, not words

Pharmacies strike for fourth time

OWNERS of many Slovak pharmacies closed their doors for four hours on August 1 to protest what they say is the Health Ministry's failure to settle massive unpaid debts in the sector. It was the fourth strike action by pharmacies this summer.According to the Slovak Chamber of Pharmacies (SLeK), the group is calling attention to the critical financial situation in the drugs distribution sector, where they claim the aggregate debt of state insurers to pharmacies has reached Sk6 billion.

Top Pick: Neglected genius from Levoča

WITH his skills and dedication, wood-carver Master Pavol of Levoča is sometimes compared to Michelangelo, and remains Slovakia's claim to fame in European art history.Born around 1480, he is thought to have come to Levoča (today in Slovakia's north-east) from the German Wittenberg, the Polish Krakow or even northern Italy. But because his surname is unknown, his origins cannot be retraced with certainty.Master Pavol is most famous for the St. Jacob's altar in the St. Jacob's Church (kostol Svätého Jakuba) on Levoča's main square. It is a masterpiece of gothic art, and at 18.6 meters tall, it is the tallest wooden altar in the world. Its most striking feature is the depiction of The Last Supper on the altar's lower quadrant.

June exports slow trade deficit climb

Chodťe voliť: Don't mind the populism

IF YOU'RE to understand anything of what's going on in Slovakia these days you need to learn some of the basic language of politics (politika).The first thing you should know is that in about seven weeks the country will be holding national elections (voľby, from voliť, to choose or elect). Unlike in most countries, voters (voliči) in Slovakia face a real choice, although not between brands of politics or types of politicians. The voľba here is between menšie zlo (the lesser evil, or the parties of the current government) and źivelná pohroma (a natural disaster, or the loyal opposition). Electing the former will please Brussels and Washington, while choosing the latter means international isolation. Abroad this is known as demokracia; at home it is termed šikanovanie (bullying) valcovanie (steamrolling) and priložiť nôž na krk (putting a knife to someone's throat).