Good evening. Here is theTuesday, May 21 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
MPs silently condemn the attack on Fico
One of four deputy speakers of parliament, Peter Žiga of the Hlas party, addresses MPs on May 21, 2024. Žiga possesses the authority that ordinarily belongs to the speaker. Nonetheless, the legislature has yet to elect the successor of Peter Pellegrini. (source: TASR)
In a rare moment, all MPs present in the debating chamber on Tuesday - 130 out of 150 - approved a coalition-sponsored resolution condemning last week’s attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) and urging people not to spread hatred.
It was the first session since the shooting in Handlová, during which Fico was injured.
“Let’s not gather crowds in front of politicians’ homes and make their families the targets,” Deputy Speaker of Parliament Peter Žiga of the Hlas party told MPs in a speech at the start, asking MPs to think carefully before they say something.
Parliament called on all political parties, public officials, the media and NGOs to respect the results of last year’s parliamentary elections and not to spread hatred against the legitimately elected government.
“People must not become targets of hatred because of their political views, as pluralism, diversity and respect for other opinions are the basis of any free and democratic society,” the resolution reads.
The document also underlines that the role of responsible and critical journalists is indispensable, “but their work must be based on facts and not on spreading hatred”.
The vote on the resolution condemning last week's attack on PM Fico. (source: TASR)
Context: After the attack on the prime minister, President Zuzana Čaputová and President-elect Peter Pellegrini (Hlas) wanted to meet with leaders of the parliamentary parties on May 21 to denounce hatred. The Smer and SNS parties refused to take part in the meeting. Subsequently, the meeting was cancelled. “If I do not have all the information about the attack, what is the point of sitting at a round table and fraternising with the opposition?” Deputy PM Robert Kaliňák (Smer) told TA3 on Tuesday, adding that there will come a time when Smer will speak to the opposition and the media. Despite a calmer mood in the parliament, some Smer MPs continued to blame the media and the opposition for pernicious polarisation. Smer MPs wore a pin that said “For Fico, For Slovakia” on their chests.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Politics: Facebook deletes the profile of Fico’s shooter.
Politics: A viral video featuring Fico’s attacker was produced by a bodyguard.
Sport: Slovakia has advanced to the hockey quarterfinals in Czechia, despite losing to Sweden on Tuesday night.
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FEATURE STORY
An American dad who feels like Slovakia’s unofficial ambassador
Joshua Datko in Bratislava. (source: Archive of J. D.)
Joshua Datko, a third-generation Slovak, actively pursues the language, history and traditions of his ancestors.
“Pretty much everyone I’ve met, when I try to speak Slovak, I get a nice smile. The people are friendly. They’re encouraging, ask questions. It’s a nice experience,” he says in an interview with The Slovak Spectator.
EVENT
A blessing of the Široké vineyard
The vineyard Široké in Vajnory. (source: viavitis.sk)
For centuries, winegrowers have been asking St. Urban to protect their vineyards from adverse weather and give them a bountiful harvest. On May 25, they will do it again in Bratislava-Vajnory.
Time and place: from 15:00, Široké vineyard
IN OTHER NEWS
Premier Robert Fico is conscious and able to communicate. The PM underwent a CT scan of his abdomen on Tuesday, the Government Office said.
The unemployment rate dropped below 5 percent in April, approaching its low reached before the coronavirus pandemic. According to National Bank of Slovakia analyst Martin Dolniak, the employment of foreigners also contributed to the drop in unemployment. Over the last month, more than 2,000 foreigners found work here and their number set a new record. The number of working foreigners exceeded 105,000. (SITA)
The Council for Budget Responsibility says that the public administration deficit this year will reach 5.7 percent of GDP, which represents an increase of 0.8 percentage points when compared to last year. According to the fiscal watchdog, with the current setting of public finances, expected deficits would not go down even in the next period. If the government and parliament fail to adopt any additional measures, the general government deficit will not drop below 5.6 percent of GDP until at least 2028. With such performance of the Slovak
economy, the gross debt of the public administration would increase dynamically up to 70.5 percent of GDP by 2028, compared to 56 percent of GDP seen at the end of last year. (SITA)The parliament approved on Tuesday an amendment to the law on nature protection, addressing the situation regarding excessive populations of bears. In line with the amendment, an emergency situation can be declared in connection with the presence of brown bears in a similar manner as in the case of an earthquake or terrorist attack. When such an emergency is declared, it should be prohibited to create bait sites that could attract bears. (TASR)
The official opening of the 22nd season at the Slovak Technical Museum (STM) - Aviation Museum in Košice on May 21, 2024. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Overcast skies. Rainshowers with occasional storms in most places. Light winds. The highest daytime temperature will rise to 24°C.(SHMÚ)
MAY 22 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Júlia, Juliana.
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