Archive of articles - January 2013, page 14
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President pardons the prisoners
A TOTAL of 753 prisoners have been released from jail after President Ivan Gašparovič granted the presidential amnesties to mark the 20th anniversary of the setting up of an independent Slovak Republic. Though some of the released have already returned to prison, Police Corps President Tibor Gašpar says that so far the amnesty has not worsened the security situation in Slovakia.
Faces of Slovakia: Piano, beer, coffee and Calvary (video included)
We have searched for people who shape the atmosphere of different spots in Slovakia. Among others we have learned about a place where the bandits tend to cut the visitors’ ties.
First of the 753 amnestied convicts return to prison
One of the men who were granted amnesty in Slovakia broke into a flat in Trnava only a few hours after he was released on Wednesday, January 2. The Sme daily wrote in its Friday, January 4, issue that he forcibly entered the flat where his ex-wife lives, threatening her and her boyfriend, and was detained shortly afterwards. Another amnestied man was caught stealing in a shopping centre, Sme wrote.
CNN recommends Košice among 2013 top tourism destinations
American all-news TV station CNN has included Košice – this year's European Capital of Culture – in its list of Top Travel Destinations 2013, Slovak Tourist Agency's manager for communication and PR activities Zuzana Nemcová told the TASR newswire on Thursday, January 3. "CNN took a number of factors into account when making the list, such as important events, new services, innovative marketing, the economic situation, history as well as the pop culture influence," Nemcová said. Among the others on this year's list are such destinations as Scotland, Amsterdam, and Sub-Saharan Africa. "Thanks in part to its medieval old town and vibrant mix of Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, the compact yet captivating eastern-Slovakian city of Košice has been chosen 2013's European Capital of Culture (ECOC)," reads the CNN's internet website. The text invites readers to ECOC opening ceremony, set to take place on January 19-20, as well as other 300 cultural events in 2013. According to the author, Lara Brunt, visitors can look forward to exploring the city's Slovak and Hungarian heritage, and attending music festivals, theatre, art exhibits and street performances. "Just as enjoyable is 'people watching' along a pedestrian-only main drag while taking in the Gothic St. Elisabeth's cathedral and sipping a Košice Gold – the city's official cocktail (with a super-secret recipe)," she adds.
Fico wants a new general prosecutor election
Prime Minister Robert Fico, chairman of the ruling Smer, said that his party is ready to elect a new general prosecutor as quickly as possible. Jozef Čentéš whom the Slovak president Ivan Gašparovič decided not to appoint, sent a constitutional complaint to the Constitutional Court (CC) in Košice on Thursday, January 3, asking for the new election to be banned.
Record few fatalities were registered on Slovak roads in 2012
Last year saw a drop in the number of deaths on Slovak roads, with the country thereby meeting its commitment towards the European Union made in 2002 to lower the figure by half (to below 305) by 2010, Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák announced at a press conference on Thursday, January 3. Kaliňák specified that 296 people died in 2012 in Slovakia as a consequence of road accidents, which means 28 less than in 2011. "Road safety in Slovakia is within the standards required from us by the European Union in 2002," said Kaliňák. Meanwhile, road accidents in Slovakia during the 20 years since Slovakia became independent have claimed the lives of more than 11,000 people. The most significant drop in the figures was recorded between 2008 and 2009, when the number of road deaths fell by 211 year-on-year. As many as 667 road deaths were recorded in 1993, for example. The Sme daily wrote that the number of death in road accidents in 2012 is the lowest since the launch of the statistics in 1966.
President formally rejects Čentéš for top prosecutor job
PRESIDENT Ivan Gašparovič will not appoint Jozef Čentéš to be Slovakia's next general prosecutor, despite parliament voting to select him for the post on June 7, 2011, and the Constitutional Court subsequently confirming the legitimacy of the parliamentary ballot by which he was chosen. Gašparovič sent a letter explaining his decision to the speaker of parliament, Pavol Paška. Čentéš said that he would challenge the president's decision at the Constitutional Court, adding that the president had failed to list any legitimate reasons for his refusal to appoint him, the SITA newswire reported.
Some 500 people might be released from prison in amnesty
President Ivan Gašparovič on the president's official web site has announced the scope of the amnesty that he granted on Tuesday, January 1. "Some 500 people could be released from confinement according to preliminary data," reported president's spokesperson Marek Trubač, as quoted by the TASR newswire. Pardons will be granted to those whose sentences have been suspended and people who have been sentenced to a maximum of 18 months in the lowest-security prisons. The president further decided to pardon citizens of EU-member states who were expelled from Slovakia before August 1, 2004, as well as people who committed crimes during mandatory military service or mandatory alternative military service. Young people sentenced to less than 18 months in prison should also be released. According to Gašparovič's decision, the amnesty doesn't apply to those sentenced for the following crimes: those resulting in death, grievous bodily harm or large-scale damage; those that involved neglect of children or threatened an ethical upbringing for young people; drug-trafficking; serving alcoholic beverages to adolescents; and crimes committed under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In addition, amnesties might also be granted under exactly specified conditions to certain groups of people who don't comply with the above criteria, including people suffering from serious life-threatening and untreatable diseases, people older than 65, pregnant women, and parents who are taking care of young children by themselves. Those granted amnesties will be treated as if they had never been convicted of the crime.
November 2012 saw robust y-o-y rise in consumer and housing loans
Slovaks took out consumer and housing loans worth nearly €547 million in November 2011, the TASR newswire learnt from Poštová Banka analyst Eva Sadovská on Wednesday, January 2. Citing figures from Slovakia's central bank (NBS), Sadovská added that November was last year's strongest month in this regard, although, it should be noted that the figures for December aren't available as yet. As far as consumer loans in November 2012 are concerned, the volume of newly-provided loans stood at €138 million. While this represents a rise of almost one-quarter on the year, the record figure of €142 million recorded in October 2012 remained intact. On aggregate, Slovaks currently have taken out consumer loans worth €2.5 billion, which is a rise of 13.6 percent on an annual basis. Likewise, housing loans drew a greater deal of interest year-on-year as the volume of fresh loans towards housing surged by 27.4 percent, or €389 million, in November. "November even surpassed May and June, which are traditionally very strong months in terms of housing loans," said Sadovská. The total for all housing loans as of the end of November stood at €13.2 billion, which constitutes an annual increase of 10.6 percent.
Budget ended 2012 with deficit topping €3.8 billion
The 2012 state budget ended with a deficit of €3.811 billion, the Finance Ministry announced on Wednesday, January 2. A shortfall of €3.675 billion had been projected. By way of comparison, the year-end deficit in 2011 stood at €3.726 billion. The ministry also noted in its preliminary year-end report that the level of the deficit as of the end of 2012 was attained despite a drop in tax revenues of €764.3 million. "The Act on Budgetary Rules of Public Administration enabled the state to have posted a deficit €60.8 million greater [than it actually was]," the TASR newswire quoted the ministry statement, which pointed out that "the law was thus adhered to." State income to the budget reached €11.830 billion at the end of 2012, which represents a year-on-year increase of 1.4 percent and 86.8 percent of the whole-year plan of €13.625 billion. Meanwhile, state expenditures stood at €15.641 billion at the end of December, thus going up by 2.4 percent y-o-y and representing 90.4 percent of the total sum planned for the year of €17.3 billion. Compared to the plan, the expenditures were lower by €1.659 billion while income fell short of €1.795 billion. When budget revenues in 2011 and 2012 are compared, the 2012 budget posted a drop of €236.7 million in tax revenues, according to the ministry. This shortage was partly offset by a rise of €96 million in income from the EU's budget. An annual rise was also posted in income from dividends, with the hike in this category reaching €114 million. When it comes to comparisons between expenditures in 2011 and 2012, the state is mainly to blame for the rise in 2012, as it claimed expenditures worth €241.9 million. [2012 employed a budget drawn up by the former Iveta Radičová-led government, which handed over the reins to Smer in the first week of April - ed. note]
Gilmore: Ireland can help lead Europe’s recovery
THESE are challenging times for Europe – and for our Union – as the aftershocks of the economic crisis continue to make themselves felt. The EU is still working through the difficult questions thrown up for the single currency, and the European economy is struggling to provide jobs and good living standards for our peoples. Too many young Europeans in particular do not have a job – a challenge to which the European Union simply must rise.
President will not appoint Čentéš as general prosecutor
President Ivan Gašparovič will not appoint Jozef Čentéš as Slovakia’s general prosecutor, though the Constitutional Court has recently confirmed the legitimacy of the ballot that took place in June 2011 at which he was elected to the post. Gašparovič has already sent a letter explaining his decision to the speaker of the parliament, Pavol Paška, the TASR newswire reported on January 2.
Sons of Ivana Boórová return to Slovakia
Two sons of Slovak Ivana Boórová, four-year-old Martin and three-year-old Samuel, have returned to Slovakia. They arrived at the Bratislava airport accompanied with their grandmother Eleonóra Študencová and Slovak Ambassador to Great Britain Martin Wachovský, the SITA newswire reported on January 1.
President awards 20 important public figures with state honours
President Ivan Gašparovič awarded the highest state honours to 20 significant figures from the spheres of science, education, art, and sports to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Slovak Republic, the TASR newswire reported on January 1.
Police in Bratislava arrested internationally wanted Moldovan
Police officers from Bratislava tracked down and arrested a 36-year-old Moldovan national wanted under a European arrest warrant. The man was sentenced by a Czech court in 2008 to five years in prison for committing 12 crimes, involving mainly robberies from flats and cars, the TASR newswire reported on December 31.
President grants amnesties
To mark the 20th anniversary of the setting up of an independent Slovak Republic, President Ivan Gašparovič has decided to grant presidential amnesties to certain convicted criminals, the TASR newswire reported. The decision will come into force on January 2, said the president's spokesperson Marek Trubač.
Gasparovič: We will manage to overcome crisis, despite its pitfalls
It would be too simple to attribute all the problems that Slovakia must currently face to the ongoing economic crisis, as they are rooted deeper - in political and ethical levels, said President Ivan Gašparovič in his traditional New Year's speech on January 1, as reported by the TASR newswire.
Higher tax rates come into effect as of January 1
Changes to the Income Tax Law, introducing higher tax rates for entrepreneurs and individuals with exceptionally high incomes, came into effect on January 1.
Faces of Slovakia: Piano, beer, coffee and Calvary (video included)
Not only sites but also people with their life stories make Slovakia an interesting place. It is exactly thanks to these stories that an Ethiopian goes to have a beer to Kvačany. “Beer is not a tool to make people drunk,” says Jozef Brontvai, who developed a micro-brewery in Liptov, which has attracted people from all over the world. Aladár Vizváry is a pianist at a café-bar in Bratislava who says his mission is to make people “feel good”. Yet, a Bratislava waiter, Dominik Menďan, talks about possibilities of relaxing in his hometown while Martin Macharík leads his audience through the Banská Štiavnica Calvary.
20th anniversary of Slovakia's independence: Was a referendum necessary?
TWENTY years after the split of the former Czechoslovak federation, the critical opinion prevails in both successor states that the split of the federal republic by political agreement without any referendum was wrong, according to a recent poll. The split of the federation without a referendum is viewed critically by 70 percent of Slovaks and Czechs, a similar figure to that seen in 1992. Only one fifth of the population is convinced otherwise, according to a survey called “Twenty years after the split of the former Czech and Slovak Federal Republic (ČSFR) and the founding of Slovakia and the Czech Republic”, carried out by the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) think tank in cooperation with the polling agency Focus and the Center for Public Opinion Research (CVVM) at the Czech Academy of Science, in November 2012. A total of 1,013 respondents in Slovakia and 1,212 in the Czech Republic were surveyed.
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- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
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- 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
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- 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
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- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
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