Archive of articles - November 2009, page 6
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Concert for the Aware draws crowd of thousands
EVEN those totally ignorant of Slovakia’s recent history might have noticed that last week, especially Tuesday, was somehow special – with streets and squares filled with more people than usual. The reason was not only that autumn this year has been milder than in previous years, but that the Slovak nation was commemorating one of the most decisive moments in its social and political life.
Low regional poll turnout
THE STRONGEST ruling coalition party at the state level, Smer, has sprayed its colour all across Slovakia, picking up almost twice as many mandates in the regional parliaments as Robert Fico’s party harvested four years ago, from its 70 seats in 2005 to 137 in this year’s balloting. Observers agreed that Smer emerged even stronger after the first round of regional voting on November 14, having successfully employed campaign tactics which used all the advantages at its disposal as a state-level governing party.
Gold and silver in Hodruša mine
Although miners at the only working Slovak precious ores mine, in Hodruša, have been working on a restricted basis for eight years, recent research has suggested that a revival could be in prospect. “Some signs of the basic continuation of the bed of lead, zinc, copper, gold and silver ores in the Rozália mine have been checked, but they have to be confirmed by further research and opening works,” the head of the Slovenská Banská s.r.o. company, Richard Kaňa, told the TASR newswire.
Some banks active in Slovakia
Citibank Europe plc, www.citibank.com/slovakia
Župan
WHEN someone asks how you like your new župan, they can mean one of two things – either they are interested in the newly elected boss of your regional municipality, or your bath robe. Unless they only speak proper Slovak. In that case, it is only the clothing they’re talking about.
Sloboda Zvierat saves cannibal dogs
The animal rescue company Sloboda Zvierat (Freedom of Animals) saved more than 20 dogs from a house in Veľké Zálužie in southern Slovakia on November 16. Although not being directly ill-treated by their owner, they lived in terrible conditions without any care. The pack of dogs were reported to be surviving despite having hardly any food, with emaciated older dogs cannibalising weaker ones and pups.
Remembering a special memorial to a noble woman
A MONUMENT was built in 1905 in the centre of the eastern Slovak town of Rožňava as a tribute to Franciska Andrássy, a member of one of the most important noble families in the Gemer region. Together with her husband, she used her power and fortune mainly to develop the whole region surrounding Rožňava.
Interest rate margins in the spotlight
THE SLOVAK Finance Ministry is dissatisfied with the level of interest rate margins in Slovakia. The State Secretary of the Finance Ministry, Peter Kažimír, sent a warning to banks after a session of the government’s Price Council on October 28. He said that the ministry, in cooperation with Slovakia’s central bank, will monitor interest margins, i.e. the difference between rates offered on new loans and the rate on the interbank market in Slovakia, more frequently, the SITA newswire reported.
Slovak-Russian gas talks
IN A MOVE widely criticised by opponents of Robert Fico, Slovakia’s prime minister visited Russia on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the celebrations of the Velvet Revolution. However, Fico and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin did not discuss the revolution, but rather an ambitious plan to establish a joint Russian-Slovak gas company, which would store and distribute natural gas for Slovak businesses and households.
Claims fly of vote buying
AN OPPOSITION party called it the worst machinations with elections in the history of independent Slovakia; the ruling coalition called it simply whining by the opposition to divert attention from what the ruling parties called an election defeat of the right-of-centre parties. These are just two perspectives emerging about suspicions of tampering with election ballots and vote-buying in Slovakia’s regional elections that political observers say must be seriously investigated.
Institutions and organisations of the banking sector in Slovakia
Ministry of Finance
Velvet Revolution commemorated
IN 1989 unity was one of the characteristic feelings on the squares of Czech and Slovak towns during the Velvet Revolution. Two decades later, Slovak public and political life seems far from that ideal – as the celebrations of 20 years of freedom have shown.
Prices fall by 0.1 percent in October
SLOVAK consumer prices measured by the European Union's Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) dropped in October on an annual basis for the first time ever. According to figures released by the Statistics Office of the Slovak Republic, consumer prices decreased 0.1 percent year-on-year. Harmonised inflation had hit zero in September, with prices stagnating at 2008 levels, the SITA newswire reported.
Archaeologists find 300 graves during construction of new road
The graves of more than 300 former inhabitants of the Nitra area were found in early November during research connected with construction of the new R1 dual carriageway between Nitra and Tekovské Nemce. The biggest find was in Čierne Kľačany and dates back to the 11th century. Other graves found near Tesárske Mlyňany are from the same period, but a burial site from the period of the Migration of Nations (in around the 5th century AD) was also found. A smaller burial ground was found recently in Selenec. In fact, the whole road section has been turning up scattered graves from various periods. At the site of a planned junction in Selenec, there is a burial site for common people from 11th century with 19 graves containing the remains of men, women and children.
Unemployment declines slightly
THE UNEMPLOYMENT rate in Slovakia fell slightly month-on-month in October by 0.05 percent to 12.4 percent, according to data from the Statistics Office reported by the SITA newswire.
Tired of democracy?
MILESTONES in the life of a man are not only an occasion to celebrate, but also an opportunity to reflect on the past, valuate it and compare reality with earlier expectations. What is valid for an individual can be even more valid for history.
Significant banking changes over the past two decades
THE CHANGE in the political regime 20 years ago has brought extensive changes to the banking sector in Slovakia. Twenty years ago, there were only the State Bank of Czecho-Slovakia, which later became the central bank, and five banking houses with precisely defined and limited banking operations. The new political system started the launch of commercial banks and today there are 25 banks operating in Slovakia, 15 of which have their headquarters in Slovakia and 10 of which are foreign banks, Poštová Banka wrote in a recent study. The use of banking services has also increased in Slovakia. The volume of aggregate deposits of individuals increased by over 125 percent during the past 10 years, from nearly Sk280 billion to over Sk630 billion (over €21 billion), according to Poštová Banka, but the indebtedness of Slovakia’s population grew by much more over the same period. The aggregate volume of loans amounted to Sk36 billion in 1999 and now it is Sk388 billion (about €13 billion) or an increase of almost 11 times, wrote Poštová Banka. The ratio between loans and deposits of citizens increased from 0.13 to 0.61, meaning that in 1999 there were loans of only Sk130 for each deposit of Sk1,000 and now there are loans of Sk610 based on the equivalent deposit. The aggregate share capital of banks operating in Slovakia increased 7.5 times from Sk8.8 billion in 1993 to its current Sk66.1 billion (€2.2 billion). The shareholders’ structure has undergone a significant change too. After the division of Czechoslovakia, the share of foreign shareholders in the Slovakia’s banking sector rose from 7.6 percent in 1993 to its current 91.4 percent, according to the Poštová Banka study. The banking sector has also become a significant employer, now employing over 20,000 people in Slovakia in comparison to 14,000 at the end of 1992.
Prime Minister Fico visits Great Britain
THE MILITARY forces of Slovakia and Great Britain were the main topic of talks between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and his British counterpart Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street in London on November 17.
Wizz Air to leave Bratislava
BUDGET airline Wizz Air is to end its operations at Bratislava Airport. Following protracted talks with the airport, the company decided to ditch its plan to establish a base in Slovakia, the SITA newswire reported.
University unveils plaque
BRATISLAVA'S Comenius University unveiled a memorial plaque on Monday, November 16 dedicated to the courageous students who marched for freedom and civil rights on November 16, 1989. The initiative for the plaque was organised by Comenius University in cooperation with the Nation's Memory Institute (ÚPN).
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- From eight to thousands of runners. How Košice marathon rose to prominence Photo
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Iconic Slovak barn still draws crowds. Without donors, it might have been lost Photo
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- He designed Gatwick. But this is his masterpiece
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process More articles ›
