Archive of articles - May 2014
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Theatre in English explores Slovak classics
BRIDGIN’ Drama is the only theatre in Slovakia that consistently performs its repertory in English. Putting on original plays, the team focuses on bringing Slovak classical literature and writers closer to English-speaking audiences.
Kiska reveals team of advisors
PRESIDENT-elect Andrej Kiska has introduced his team of six advisors during an interview in the private broadcaster Rádio Expres. He also said his spokesman will be Peter Petrus, a reporter of TV JOJ broadcaster.
Prosecutor’s office submits lawsuit in platinum mesh case
THE REGIONAL Prosecutor’s Office in Bratislava has filed a lawsuit over the underpriced sale of so-called platinum mesh by the Administration of State Material Reserves (SŠHR) back in October 2011. The lawsuit concerns three people, the TASR newswire reported on May 30.
Slovak armed forces collapsing, analysts say
THERE has been a lack of interest in issues related to defence since Slovakia joined NATO in 2004. This has resulted in collapsing armed forces, dependence on Russia and criticism from NATO, Central European Policy Institute (CEPI) analysts Marián Majer and Jaroslav Naď said on May 29.
SDKÚ to support constitutional changes
THE SLOVAK Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) will probably support the changes to the judiciary which are part of the constitutional amendment authored by Smer and the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH). The party says it does not mind the controversial security clearances of judges, but asks for implementing its own proposals too, the Sme daily reported in its May 30 issue.
Culture Minister says firing of RTVS host too strict
CULTURE Minister Marek Maďarič said he would have chosen a less severe punishment in the case of Kristína Kormúthová, former face of the public-service Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS) sports desk, though he perceives her racism-tinged Facebook post that ultimately cost her job as unacceptable.
Economic sentiment in Slovakia reaches two-year high
The Economic Sentiment Indicator in Slovakia increased by 2.3 points month-on-month to 101.3 in May, surpassing the long-term average for the first time in 24 months, the central bank (NBS) reported on May 28. The result stemmed from the rising trust in services and retail, and among consumers. The mood of consumers improved in all segments. Consumers were somewhat pessimistic only when asked about their expectations vis-a-vis overall economic prospects, the TASR newswire quoted the NBS report. Meanwhile, the sentiment was slightly worse in industry and construction. In industry, the negative mood was driven by the expected drop in industrial production, while the indicator of trust in construction fell slightly due to negative prospects of employment. Construction output is widely expected to go up, too. The central bank expects that the growth of employment as recorded in recent months in Slovakia’s economy as a whole will somewhat decelerate in the next few months.
Parliament passes new rules for elections
Starting July 2015, elections will be organised according to new rules passed the parliament on May 29. The “election codes” proposed by the Interior Ministry led by Robert Kaliňák should be signed by president and then become effective as of July 1, 2015.
Cargo ship collides with tug-boat in Bratislava harbour
In the Bratislava harbour on the Danube river, a cargo ship hit a tug-boat at about 9:00 the morning of May 29. Nobody was hurt, and no environmental damage has been done, dispatcher of the Operation Centre of Bratislava Fire-fighters informed the SITA newswire, adding that in spite of having to arrive to the accident site, fire-fighters did not have to intervene.
Producer prices in industry continued falling in April
Prices in Slovak industry continued falling in April 2014. As the latest data of the Slovak Statistics Office (ŠÚ) shows, industrial producer prices in April fell by 3.7 percent in yearly terms.
Fico says Ukraine cheated Slovakia on gas
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico targeted Ukraine again after the meeting of European Union leaders on Brussels on May 28.
Slovak among OSCE observers captured in Ukraine
A SLOVAK was among a group of observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) captured about 35 kilometres from Donetsk on May 28. The observers were released later in the day.
Activists protest constitutional amendment on marriage
DOZENS of people gathered in front of parliament to protest the constitutional amendment authored by the ruling Smer party and the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) which, in addition to reforming the judiciary, would define marriage as a unique bond between a man and a woman. The amendment will be discussed in parliament on May 29.
Strike at Volkswagen averted
THE THREAT of strike at Bratislava-based carmaker Volkswagen Slovakia was avoided as trade union representatives and the company’s management agreed on a salary increase, the TASR newswire reported on May 28.
Fico praises EU decision not to impose further sanctions against Russia
THE POSITION taken up by the Council of the European Union towards Ukraine represents a reasonable approach with respect to the potential economic sanctions against Russia, Prime Minister Robert Fico told journalists on May 28, after an informal summit of the EU leaders in Brussels.
Smer proposes secret vote of Supreme Court president
THE ELECTION of the Supreme Court president and his or her deputies, as well as the selection of the Judicial Council chair and his or her deputies, should be held in secret, according to a proposal to amend the law on judges and judicial assistants submitted by Smer MP Antonín Cicoň.
13
THIS MONTH, Slovak politics seems to revolve around the number 13. First, Radoslav Procházka’s Sieť got 13 percent in the Focus opinion poll, turning the party into a leader of the right. Then only 13 percent of voters turned out to elect the country’s 13 MEPs. So what is the number trying to tell us? Tough to say.
Constitutional changes tabled
IN LATE May, Slovak MPs found themselves debating constitutional changes that comprise the ruling party’s remedies for the judiciary and the conservative definition of marriage, as the changes were tabled much earlier than expected.
Smer and KDH agree on constitutional changes, face criticism
THOUGH Prime Minister Robert Fico originally said he will seek support for the constitutional changes pertaining to judiciary across the political spectrum, his ruling Smer party closed negotiations over the amendment only with the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH). The amendment will be discussed at the May 28 session, and it is possible it will be passed without the support of other opposition parties, the Sme daily reported.
NBS finds Slovak banks stable and resilient towards shock
THE SLOVAK banking sector remains very stable with a high level of resilience towards negative developments, the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS), country’s central bank, said on May 27.
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- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- 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
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- Paris leads, Bratislava trails: European cities ranked on safe travel for children
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- Show me your moves! Slovak hockey stars share their best pick-up lines
- He designed Gatwick. But this is his masterpiece
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- The compass points to Kúty, and people are starting to follow
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Stupava 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
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list More articles ›
