Good evening. Here is theWednesday, December 13 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Former police chief considers running for President
Former police chief Štefan Hamran. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
Former police president Štefan Hamran has confirmed that he is considering running in presidential elections next year, reports Denník N daily.
His decision to do so will depend on whether he succeeds in forming a team, raising money for a campaign and collecting the necessary 15,000 signatures from the public as he wants to run as a civic candidate.
Hamran, who was dismissed by Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok three days before his submitted resignation came into effect, has already bought several domain names such as prezidenthamran.sk, hamran24.sk či stefanhamran24.sk, the daily reports.
Along with former minister of foreign affairs Ivan Korčok who has already started his own campaign, diplomat Ján Kubiš and activist Beáta Janočková have also announced their intention to run for the presidency.
Although Hlas chair Peter Pellegrini has yet to announce his candidacy, polls already show him leading the race and having the best chance of winning. Pellegrini said he would announce his decision at the beginning of 2024.
Although the date of the election has not been set, the first round will probably take place in late March. Current President Zuzana Čaputová is not running, and her term will expire on June 15, 2024.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
OPINION: Fico miscalculates as crowds send message about attempted hijack of country.
TAXES: Plans to slap a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages have been welcomed by healthcare professionals but criticised by economic experts.
BUSINESS: Bratislava's newest shopping centre completes national football stadium complex, but is half empty.
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FEATURE STORY FOR WEDNESDAY
The 10 largest ski resorts in Slovakia
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
While in other years ski resort operators were worried about how and when they would start the season, this year it's not the case. The early onset of winter means virtually all large ski resorts in the country can now open.
Which 10 ski resorts are the biggest in Slovakia? You can find the answer in the Largest in Business rankings compiled by The Slovak Spectator.
EVENT FOR THE COMING WEEKS
Bratislava between 1960-1969
Old radio receivers. (source: TASR)
A new exhibition called 'BA 60-69' opens today in the Apponyi Palace in Bratislava city centre near the Hlavné Námestie square, showcasing items and memorabilia related to life in the capital in the 1960s. While on the outside everyone lived adhering to the communist ideology, society opened up culturally and socially.
For more information about the exhibition click here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovakia will support the start of talks on Ukraine's accession to the European Union, although the country is not ready for such a step, PM Robert Fico (Smer) said. He will travel to Brussels to attend an EU summit and meet NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. (TASR)
Slovak hauliers continue to block the Vyšné Nemecké-Uzghorod Slovak-Ukrainian border crossing. Personal transport is not blocked, and passage has been granted for convoys with military equipment for Ukraine. Slovak hauliers have joined their Polish and Hungardian counterparts in protests and are calling on the European Union to cancel a road transport agreement with Ukraine. (TASR)
A new industrial park is to be built for German carmaker Porsche in Nové Mesto nad Váhom, Trenčín Region. The carmaker is considering an investment worth €1 billion for a site for a car battery production facility. (TASR)
Three people have been recognised at the US Embassy in Slovakia's 2023 Human Rights Protection Awards. Activist Zara Kromková received the Woman of Courage award for her courage and perseverance in the constant pursuit of equal rights for LGBTQI+ people. For her efforts to protect the rights of victims of human trafficking and migrants, and to bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes committed against Ukrainian refugees, the Defender of Human Rights Prize was awarded to lawyer Alexandra Malangone. Outgoing head of the Slovak Environment Inspectorate Ján Jenčo was given the Ján Kuciak Award for transparency.
The SNS party has asked its coalition partners to stop state support to the NGO Globsec. Party chief Andrej Danko said: "It is a natural ambition of the SNS to limit the finances of the third sector," adding that it was an 'impudence' that the state provides security during the global security forum Globsec in Bratislava. The conference is attended by important foreign leaders, politicians, and others from around the world. (TASR)
The Bratislava I City Court has released attorney Adam Puškár from custody in the case of the murder of student Daniel Tupý. He had previously been deemed a potential flight risk. Puškár is accused of being an accomplice in the murder. The verdict is not final, as the prosecution has filed a complaint. Read more about the murder here. (TASR)
A new app showcasing the 3D visualisation of a long lost mining castle Glanzenberg near Banská Štiavnica, central Slovakia, has been unveiled. Upon scanning a QR code on several locations and downloading the app, people can aim their phones in the direction of the Glanzenberg hill to see the reconstruction. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY
Overcast skies, foggy and an occasional shower expected, snow at higher altitudes. Daily temperatures between 1 °C and 9 °C. A Level 1 ground ice warning has been issued for selected districts of central and eastern Slovakia, see map here. (SHMÚ)
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