Archive of articles - August 2012, page 11
If you desire to read an old article, use the search bar or select the publication date.
Parliament passes law to prevent seizure of state property
By approving a draft amendment to the Execution Order, parliament has moved to prevent the possibility of state property being seized in settlement of outstanding debts. Of 116 MPs present in parliament on Wednesday, August 8, 115 supported the amendment, which was prepared by the Justice Ministry and debated using a fast-tracked legislative procedure.
SDKÚ reads out names of petition signatories in parliament
The names of all the people who signed a petition in support of the second, or capitalisation, pillars of Slovakia’s old-age pensions system will be read aloud in parliament, opposition Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) leader Pavol Frešo announced at a press conference on Tuesday, August 7. The petition organised by the SDKÚ has already been signed by around 80,000 people.
Drought-stricken farmers to receive state aid
Farmers are reeling from this year's dry spell will receive state aid – albeit returnable – after President Ivan Gašparovič on Tuesday, August 7, signed into law a bill that introduces such assistance, the TASR newswire reported. The law, which was recently passed via fast-tracked proceedings in parliament, addresses the provision of assistance from the Environmental Fund towards prevention, mitigation and removal of the effects of extreme weather. This concerns not only extreme drought and lack of rainfall, but also torrential rains that re-occur frequently in some areas.
EC: Slovakia’s waste management among the worst in the EU
Slovakia is doing a poor job of managing its rubbish, according to a European Commission ranking of member states that identified major shortcomings in the implementation of an efficient approach towards waste, the TASR newswire reported.
Fico defends proposed changes to second pension pillar
People saving for their retirement in the second, so-called capitalisation, pillar of Slovakia’s old-age pension system will receive about 18 percent less than those in the first pillar in 2012, according to Prime Minister Robert Fico, who summoned a press conference following the end of a special cabinet session to discuss the issue, the TASR newswire reported.
MPs back fast-tracking of changes to execution law
127 of 129 deputies present in parliament supported an amendment to the execution law – which primarily governs recovery of unpaid debts – in order to protect state property from being expropriated. The decision came after a recent Constitutional Court ruling which scrapped the state’s immunity from the same laws which apply to everyone else, the SITA newswire reported.
Laws to scrap MPs’ immunity signed by president
President Ivan Gašparovič has signed into law two amendments scrapping MPs’ immunity from criminal prosecution. The change, passed by parliament at the end of July, will come into effect on September 1, the TASR newswire wrote.
Education Ministry to check Figeľ’s doctorate
Education Minister Dušan Čaplovič is to arrange an inspection at the university which in 2007 granted a doctorate to Ján Figeľ, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), the SITA newswire wrote.
Walking among the clouds (video included)
The High Tatras are undoubtedly the pearl of Slovak tourism. When the wind blasts away the intrusive clouds and fog, one cannot help but be stunned by the sight of majestic peaks dotted with snow. Furthermore northern Slovakia’s beautiful natural wonders also offer great sport and cultural opportunities almost all the year. It is a paradise for the sport-obsessed and the lazy alike, offering countless escapes from the daily grind.
Government re-installed dismissed heads of heating companies
In spite of pledges made shortly after the March general election, the Smer party nominees in the National property Fund (FNM) selected through tender two members of the board of the state-owned heating company Bratislavská teplárenská (BAT) (Bratislava Heating Company), Vladimír Raček and Igor Chrapčiak.
Levies to be imposed on foreign companies
A new amendment that will require regulated companies, mobile operators and railway transporters to pay special levies as of September will also pertain to companies that operate in Slovakia, but reside in other countries and are regulated there.
TIS proposed to reward anti-corruption fighter
The NGO Transparency International Slovakia proposed Jozef Žaťko, who brought to light fraud involving the use of petrol in the police corps and corruption in lower level football leagues, as a candidate for the global Integrity Award, the Sme daily wrote in its Tuesday August 7, issue.
Slovak authorities launch investigation of Skylink
Slovak authorities are launching an investigation of satellite TV operator Skylink for imposing fees for digital services it provides. Telecommunication Office spokesperson Roman Vavro told the Pravda daily that the start of the investigation has been postponed since they must first determine whether the Telecommmunication Office or the Slovak Trade Inspection has the authority to pursue Skylink in this matter. Both institutions agreed to cooperate in the case.
Empire State Building lights up in Slovak national colours
The top of the west side of Manhattan's world-famous Empire State Building was lit up in the colours of Slovakia's national flag (red, white, and blue) on August 5 in recognition of Slovakia's participation in the 2012 Olympic Games. Every night during the ongoing Olympics, all four sides of the skyscraper's observation tower will display the colours of the flags of the countries competing at the Games, the press department of Slovakia's Foreign Affairs Ministry explained to the TASR newswire on Monday, August 6.
Regulator prepares energy price regulation for small businesses
The Regulatory Office for Network Industries (ÚRSO) is preparing rules for the regulation of energy prices for small companies. New directives to define maximum electricity and natural gas prices for small businesses should take effect as of September 2012. Regulated energy prices for small companies should take effect next year.
Finance Ministry wants Bubeníková dismissed from EC panel of experts
The Slovak Finance Ministry will formally ask Eurogroup to reappraise the nomination of former head of the National Property Fund (FNM) Anna Bubeníková, who has recently been appointed a member of an EC committee to help Greece privatise property in order to retire its mountain of debt.
Parliament approves debate on pensions in fast-tracked proceedings
Following a five-day long debate, the parliament on Monday, August 6, approved for changes to the pension system to be made through a fast-tracked proceeding.
Slovakia reports the highest number of long-term unemployed in the EU
Slovakia is the country with the highest number of long-term unemployed, i.e. people who have been jobless for more than 12 months, among the EU member states. The number of long-term jobless has reached as much as 67.8 percent, the TASR newswire reported on August 5.
Karol Mello remains in Belize
The extradition of Slovak fugitive Karol Mello has become complicated. The court in Belize that is currently overseeing the case has postponed the trial to August 10. Mello, who is charged with organising at least two murders in Slovakia, will remain in custody until then in Belmopan, the Channel5belize.com website reported on August 2.
Bubeníková allegedly provides advice to Greece
The European Commission has allegedly nominated Anna Bubeníková, former head of the National Property Fund (FNM) privatisation agency, to the post of adviser to Greece on privatisation. Bubeníková was reportedly recommended by former finance minister and current MP for the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), Ivan Mikloš in July 2011, the TASR newswire reported.
- 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
- Liberal MP's boxing challenge backfires as far-right MEP seizes the moment
- 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
- From eight to thousands of runners. How Košice marathon rose to prominence Photo
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- 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
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- 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
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Legendary captain Zdeno Chára inducted into IIHF Hall of Fame Video
- Liberal MP's boxing challenge backfires as far-right MEP seizes the moment
- 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 More articles ›
