List of author's articles, page 10
Economic boom, democratic decline
ALTHOUGH the Slovak economy continues to grow by leaps and bounds, the quality of democracy in Slovakia has decreased during the reign of the current ruling coalition - Smer, the Slovak National Party (SNS) and the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS).
Slovaks divided on Kosovo
SLOVAKIA's politicians are divided on Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia on February 17.
Chaos surrounds euro-funds
THE PROCESS through which organisations can apply for EU funds has been changed, harvesting massive criticism from the opposition, local governments and experts. The Ministry of Construction and Regional Development said the change was to simplify the application process due to difficulties that arose during the previous EU fund-drawing period, when Slovakia was eligible to draw up to Sk400 million.
The power of knowledge over myth
HISTORIAN Štefan Šutaj, chairman of the Slovak Commission for the Preparation of the Slovak-Hungarian history textbook, told the Hungarian daily Népszabadság on September 18, 2007 that Slovaks and Hungarians should aim for a general amnesty, inspired by that achieved by the Germans and French.
Draft Press Code limps toward second reading
THE CULTURE Ministry's controversial revisions to the Press Code were sent along the next stretch of their agonising path through parliament on February 12, despite objections from the opposition and Europe's largest security organisation, the OSCE.
Shared textbook will help eradicate myths
THE HISTORY of the Central European region needs to be handled with special care, especially when it comes to Slovak-Hungarian relations, historians on both sides of the Slovak-Hungarian border agree.
Wrangling over councils
IN THE MIDST of fiery discussions over a recent revision to the Press Act, the election of new members to the councils that oversee the operation of public service television and radio has poured more fuel onto the fire. While the ruling coalition is happy with the list of new council members, the opposition and media experts argue that most of them are close to the ruling parties; a situation that could threaten the councils' independence.
Lisbon Treaty stuck in political deadlock
AFTER fiery debates between the ruling coalition and opposition parties, the fate of the Lisbon Treaty remains in limbo. Though the parties met on February 6 to iron out discrepancies between the two camps, Speaker of Parliament Pavol Paška finally postponed the vote to an unspecified future date.
Nechala: Resignation prevents crisis
THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR spoke to Pavol Nechala, a lawyer with Transparency International Slovakia, about the resignation of František Kašický as defence minister.
Lisbon Treaty vote in limbo
THE LISBON Treaty has come up against a major hurdle during its course through the Slovak parliament.
Cleaning house at the Defence Ministry
THE CLEANING operations at the Slovak Defence Ministry, worth more than Sk3 billion (€89 million), have led to a clean-up in the personnel department, but observers say that without systemic changes, it's just a spit-and-polish job.
Slovaks honoured for saving Jews
NINE more Slovaks have been recognised posthumously for their role in saving dozens of Jews during the Holocaust.
Different vote, same result
PRIME Minister Robert Fico has survived a second attempt to have him fired after an all-night session of parliament.
NGOs raise the alarm
EVEN THOUGH non-governmental organisations were satisfied with the current law on associations, dating from the beginning of the 1990s, the Interior Ministry has prepared a new bill on associations that hardly anybody is happy with.
New press act causes confusion
PRIME Minister Robert Fico and his government are not known for their good relationship with the media, yet they are trying to introduce a new press act – something that has not been done since the fall of communism in Slovakia. Fico’s cabinet approved the bill on the new press act on January 9.
Dispelling the myths about Slovak spies
THE ASSOCIATION of Former Slovak Intelligence Officers (ABSD), a non-governmental organisation formed in April 2006, is trying to answer some questions. Questions like, are Slovakia’s secret services being misused for the political goals of government parties? Have they been transformed into democratic intelligence services? What are they doing and what are they here for?
Cuban reception no beach party, critics warn Fico
EVEN though he drew fire last year for attending a birthday do for Cuba’s communist revolution, Prime Minister Robert Fico went back to the Cuban ambassador’s anniversary reception this year.
Analysts say there is no reason to worry yet
IN SPITE of Slovakia’s recent success in international and economic affairs, political scientists and observers say there is reason to worry about Slovakia’s development over the coming year.
Bland speech gives way to bold talk on media
ALTHOUGH the New Year’s address of President Ivan Gašparovič was not exceptional in any way – according to observers of the Slovak political scene – Gašparovič found another way to make a bit of a stir at the beginning of the new year.
“Nationalism has simply asserted itself much easier”
THE RULING coalition has settled into an uneasy peace that will let it keep standing through conflicts like the one that threatened to tear it apart last year, according to one of Slovakia's leading political analysts.
- Ambulance hit by Russian drone goes on display in centre of Bratislava
- Bratislava’s embassy-backed events you don’t want to miss
- Slovakia mourns Pope Francis, a shepherd of hope and humility Photo
- “Return not,” the ocean cried. But I returned for her
- Slovakia’s public finances remain in deep trouble
- Prices surge in Slovakia as inflation hits 15-month high
- Danish shoemaker to shut Slovak factory, axing 650 jobs in fresh blow to struggling region
- News digest: Finns air unseen video of Fico shooting, PM’s bloody jacket driven away by minister
- Ambulance hit by Russian drone goes on display in centre of Bratislava
- Bratislava’s embassy-backed events you don’t want to miss
- “Return not,” the ocean cried. But I returned for her
- Slovakia mourns Pope Francis, a shepherd of hope and humility Photo
- When to shop over Easter: Opening hours for supermarkets in Slovakia
- Slovakia’s public finances remain in deep trouble
- Slovak Matters: A flirtatious Easter of water and whipping
- The British Film Institute shines a light on Slovak cinema’s boldest chapter Video
- Ambulance hit by Russian drone goes on display in centre of Bratislava
- “Return not,” the ocean cried. But I returned for her
- Bratislava’s embassy-backed events you don’t want to miss
- The British Film Institute shines a light on Slovak cinema’s boldest chapter Video
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Slovakia's latest basketball star is destined for great things in the USA
- When to shop over Easter: Opening hours for supermarkets in Slovakia
- Weekend: What to make of Easter in Slovakia
- “Return not,” the ocean cried. But I returned for her
- Ambulance hit by Russian drone goes on display in centre of Bratislava
- German shoemaker Lowa joins wave of factory closures in Slovakia
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- US giant pulls plug on Slovak factory, axing 137 jobs
- When to shop over Easter: Opening hours for supermarkets in Slovakia
- Danish shoemaker to shut Slovak factory, axing 650 jobs in fresh blow to struggling region
- Hundreds of people ousted from Bratislava’s Volkswagen
- Slovakia mourns Pope Francis, a shepherd of hope and humility Photo
- Confetti, chants and history: Hejková’s dream goodbye after nearly 40 years at the top
- Slovakia’s public finances remain in deep trouble
- Ambulance hit by Russian drone goes on display in centre of Bratislava
- Why this gorge deserves a spot on your bucket list Photo
- The British Film Institute shines a light on Slovak cinema’s boldest chapter Video
- Bratislava’s embassy-backed events you don’t want to miss
- Water supply to be cut in parts of Bratislava’s Old Town in late April More articles ›
