Archive of articles - January 2013, page 9
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Russian company Rosatom considers building new NPP in Bohunice
The Czech energy trust ČEZ will probably withdraw from the project of a new nuclear power plant in Jaslovské Bohunice in the Trnava Region that it had launched with the Slovak government some years ago. The reason is that it set to complete the Temelín NPP at home.
Opposition signs proposal against president, public protest slated for Thursday
The opposition signed a proposal on Wednesday, January 16, to pursue legal action against President Ivan Gašparovič over what it sees as a purposeful violation of the Slovak Constitution by not appointing general-prosecutor elect Jozef Čentéš to the post. The proposal sponsored by Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) and signed also by Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ), Most-Híd and some Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OĽaNO) MPs will be submitted to the Parliament on Thursday.
Teachers’ unions want another 5-percent salary hike
Teachers’ unions are demanding that the government introduces salary hikes for teachers and education employees by another five percent as of July 1, 2013, otherwise protests and the general strike are likely to resume.
Poľovačka
PRESIDENT Ivan Gašparovič is a great fan of hunting (poľovačka). And it has been rumoured for years that he was present when a fatal accident took place in 2009. There was never any hard evidence, so writing the story was impossible. All that changed thanks to Gašparovič’s office, which almost seems out to get him.
No new prosecutor lined up yet
EVEN though earlier in January Prime Minister Robert Fico responded to the decision of President Ivan Gašparovič not to appoint parliament’s chosen candidate, Jozef Čentéš, to the job of general prosecutor, by suggesting that parliament faced no hindrance to launching a new vote for the top prosecutor, it now seems that the process will not be as smooth as the prime minister had expected. After Speaker of Parliament Pavol Paška on January 8 set a term for the submission of candidates for the post of general prosecutor, the parliamentary constitutional committee was scheduled to discuss the candidates on January 18. However, the ruling Smer party admitted on January 16 that it has no confirmed candidate to discuss.
EPH acquires 49% stake in SPP
The Czech company Energetický a Průmyslový Holding (EPH) has acquired the 49-percent stake in the gas utility Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel (SPP) formerly owned by E.ON Ruhrgas and GDF Suez, the SITA newswire reported on Tuesday, January 15. The purchase price was €2.6 billion; the Reuters newswire reported that the German and French firms will each receive €1.3 billion by selling the firm Slovak Gas Holding B.V., through which they controlled the SPP stake. EPH is jointly owned by the Slovak financial group J&T, and by Czech businessmen Petr Kellner and Daniel Křetínský.
Gang member ‘Schnitzel’ imprisoned for 11 years
A member of the Bratislava-based Sýkorovci criminal gang, Martin Hrabárik, aka Schnitzel, who was threatened with death by other gang members will spend 11 years in a medium-security prison after his conviction by the Specialised Criminal Court, the TASR newswire reported on Tuesday, January 15, citing court spokesperson Katarína Kudjaková.
Ombudswoman to cooperate in decision affecting Supreme Court chief
Justice Minister Tomáš Borec has asked Slovakia's ombudswoman, Jana Dubovcová, to decide with him on possible disciplinary proceedings against Štefan Harabin, the president of Slovakia’s Supreme Court and head of the Judicial Council, based on a letter Harabin sent to the president of the Constitutional Court, Ivetta Macejková.
AmCham and Banská Bystrica plan jobs fair
Support the Growth of Your Business, an event organised by Banská Bystrica and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), took place in the city on Tuesday, January 15, and resulted in plans to hold a jobs fair later in the year. At the meeting, local entrepreneurs learned more about current options to use European funds to support businesses, in the fields of innovative technologies and employment for young people, the TASR newswire reported.
SDKÚ demands answers from Zvolenská over Žilina Hospital cronyism claims
The Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) has called on Health Minister Zuzana Zvolenská to stop avoiding media questions and comment on alleged dubious practices at Žilina Hospital, the SITA newswire reported on January 15.
Smer presents Kalina to ÚPN; opposition backs Mikloško
The ruling Smer party has nominated a candidate for the post of chairman of the Nation’s Memory Institute (ÚPN) administration board. Juraj Kalina, who cooperated with the ÚPN in the past, will face František Mikloško, the opposition candidate, in the race for the job, the TASR newswire reported.
Matovič will not join attempt to impeach Gašparovič
No MPs from Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OĽaNO) will sign the opposition initiative to impeach President Ivan Gašparovič for violation of the Slovak constitution, the party’s leader, Igor Matovič, said on January 15, the TASR newswire reported.
Poll: Smer still on top, Most-Híd’s support rises
If a general election had been held at the beginning of December 2012, it would have been won by the Smer party, according to a poll carried out by the Median SK polling agency on a sample of 1,146 respondents, the SITA newswire reported.
Prime Minister Fico visited Austria on Monday
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico made an official visit to Austria on Monday, January 14, at the invitation of Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann. During the visit, Fico held talks with Faymann and was also received by Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Speaker of Parliament Barbara Prammer. Fico was accompanied by Minister of Foreign and EuropeanAffairs Miroslav Lajčák.
Doctors dodging emergency duty may face jail time
Doctors who refuse to go on duty during a state of emergency declared by the Slovak government could face either a fine or imprisonment. This is how the Health Ministry wants to prevent a repeat of the situation in late 2011 when doctors went on sick leave en masse – providing each other with 'notes'. Furthermore, the Health Ministry would like to make it illegal for doctors to skip emergency duty.
ECJ sides with Pezinok citizens in communal-waste dump case
The European Court of Justice approved the claim of the citizens of the town of Pezinok in a case involving a local waste dump on Tuesday, January 15. The case, called Jozef Križan and others vs the Slovak Environment Inspection Authority, issued a verdict stating that the public must have access to decisions concerning any operation or facility that has an impact on the local environment.
Slovak judges will lose immunity as of summer
Just like members of parliament, judges in Slovakia will also lose their immunity from criminal prosecution, the Pravda daily wrote in its Tuesday, January 15, issue.
Prosecutors suggest Jaromír Čižnár as candidate for general prosecutor
The council of prosecutors recommended Bratislava regional prosecutor Jaroír Čižnár as a candidate for the general prosecutor to the parliamentary constitutional committee, Smer MP Robert Madej informed the TASR newswire on Monday, January 14. According to Madej, all the present members of the council agreed on Čižnár. Madej could not confirm, however, whether Smer would accept him, adding that he would speak to Čižnár on Tuesday and find out whether he would be willing to run as a candidate.
Bratislava strives to combat snow on roads
Persistent heavy snow prompted Bratislava's city hall to send out winter service vehicles to spread grit across the entire city for the third time in a single day on Monday, January 14, morning, the TASR newswire learned from head of the city hall's press department Daniela Rodinová. All the available 54 vehicles and machines were dispatched in an effort to combat the situation, which Rodinová called "highly complicated".
SaS: City lost €1.6m when selling land for the Hilton Hotel
The land on which the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bratislava stands was sold by the Bratislava City Hall at a significantly lower price from the figure set by appraisers, ex-defence minister Ľubomír Galko (Freedom and Solidarity [SaS]) and SaS city councillors Ján Hrčka and Igor Bendík claimed on Monday, January 14.
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- 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
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- 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 law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- 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 ›
