Good evening. Here is theTuesday, January 30 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Slovak govt tries to please Brussels
Smer MP Tibor Gašpar. (source: TASR - Pavel Neubauer)
The major ruling party Smer has come with a large-scale proposal to amend the Penal Code. It has 22 pages, but the changes are only very small, writes the daily Sme.
The coalition initially refused to modify its first proposal. Smer and its two partners, Hlas and SNS, decided to make concessions after criticism from the opposition, part of the experts and Brussels. It is charged Smer MP Tibor Gašpar, who is the ex-police chief from the time of former Smer administrations, that has recently submitted the amendment to the house.
Experts and NGOs don't have the opportunity to comment on the proposal. The ruling coalition aims to approve the amendment via a fast-track procedure in the house this week. Opposition MPs received the proposal on Monday evening. MPs will meet in the debating chamber on Wednesday, but the legal affairs committee met already on Tuesday morning to discuss Gašpar's proposal.
The biggest changes concern crimes criticised by the EU. Brussels threatened to stop EU funds for Slovakia if the initial changes were passed. The essence of the amendment to reduce punishments for economic crime and corruption remains, nevertheless.
The Special Prosecutor's Office is to be abolished by March 15, the proposal reads.
Related: Corruption cases that regard oligarch Miroslav Výboh (the charged entrepreneur should appear in court on March 4), businessman Jaroslav Haščák, and National Bank of Slovakia Governor Peter Kažimír (ex-finance minister for Smer) should be time-barred for good if the coalition changes the Penal Code, even if only for a day. With the amendment, Smer, Hlas and SNS coalition parties also want to shorten the statute of limitations after which criminals can no longer be tried. (Denník N)
Poll: 24.5 percent of voters would vote for Smer in January. Progresívne Slovensko would receive less than 21 percent. Fifteen percent of the voters would vote for Hlas, the latest Ipsos poll shows. So far, the popularity of the ruling parties has not been shaken by the intention to reduce penalties for corruption and abolish the Special Prosecutor's Office, which brought tens of thousands of people to the streets of Slovak towns. (Denník N)
More stories from The Slovak Spectator website
Politics: A doctor who criticised Health Minister Zuzana Dolinková (Hlas) for a photo with a premature baby was allegedly intimidated.
Sport: Slovak figure skater Adam Hagara captures silver at the Youth Olympics. Watch his free routine.
Culture: An ancient mill in Senica, western Slovakia, is restored.
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FEATURE STORY FOR TUESDAY
Artist who plays the bandura, 'the voice of Ukrainian people'
Olga Smorkis during a charity fair in Bratislava. (source: Yury Krivosheya)
In addition, Ukrainian musician Olga Smorkis always tells people how important the role of bandura has been in the history of the Ukrainian people, and what an unique instrument it is.
EVENT FOR CHILDREN IN BRATISLAVA
Fur coats, jars, and boots
Mediaeval markets at the Bratislava Castle in 2023. (source: TASR - Jaroslav Novák)
Who did people go to when they needed new shoes or a coat? This Sunday, a guide in period costume will tell children interesting information about the history of well-known and lesser-known crafts in Bratislava. And to top it off, they can see the products of some craftsmen up close. The walk is suitable for children aged 6-12.
Date: February 4 (Sunday) at 10:00. Registration is required (only 6 places are left).
In other news
Slovakia has historically achieved the best position in the ranking of corruption perceptionsby Transparency International. It finished in 47th place out of 180 countries, two places higher than the year before. The ranking reflects the period of the Heger and Ódor governments.
The Nation's Memory Institute (ÚPN) draws attention to the spreading of fake ŠtB (the secrete police force in communist Czechoslovakia) documents about the presidential candidate Ivan Korčok. According to the ÚPN, there are no dates, ranks or signatures of ŠtB officers on them, and some names were made up.
"If the neutral position of Ukraine should contribute to the end of the war and should guarantee peace, I would be in favour of Ukraine not being a member of NATO," said presidential candidate and Speaker Peter Pellegrini (Hlas). Ukraine's neutrality, he assumes, will be Russia's demand in any peace negotiations. (Markíza)
Slovakia is negotiating with the USA on the purchase of Patriot systems, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (SMer) said on Sunday. According to him, Slovakia needs a long-range air defence system. He would like to negotiate with the US the possibility of using the discount originally intended for Viper combat helicopters. Slovakia is currently using a system from Italy. Slovakia will request an extension of its stay on the territory. (RTVS)
On Tuesday, the leader of the non-parliamentary far-right party ĽSNS, Marian Kotleba, submitted the signatures needed for the presidential race. He collected more than 20,000 of them from people. The first round of the presidential election will be held on March 23.
ĽSNS leader Marian Kotleba carries a box with plenty of sheets of paper that are full of signatures supporting his presidential run on January 30, 2024. (source: TASR)
Due to an accident involving a lorry and a car on the D1 motorway near Hlohovec, a section of the motorway is closed on January 30, 2024. (source: TASR/Trnava Region Police)
Ticket seller Kiwi.com will lay off 18 percent of its more than 1,200 employees. The company has been at a loss for a long time. Most people work for the firm in the Czech city of Brno, where a large Slovak community lives. Recently, the ticket seller entered into a strategic partnership with Ryanair. This happened after several lawsuits, when the airline was against the Czech seller offering its flights on its website. Now it will be possible.(ČTK)
The company Alma Career conducted the 12th annual poll on the most attractive employers. Four companies within 11 categories defended their victory from the previous year - Henkel, Lidl, Sociálna Poisťovňa and Slovenské Elektrárne. See the full list of winners.
The economic mood in Slovakia is improving slightly. Although the indicator of economic sentiment increased by only 0.4 points in January, its value reached the level of 96.7. It is the highest value in the last nine months. The economic mood improved among entrepreneurs in services, construction and trade. The deterioration of the situation is seen only in industry. Slovak consumers are also optimistic. (Statistics Office)
Subway franchise chain is closing operations in Slovakia. There is only one left in Bratislava - in the Avion shopping centre. In addition to the capital, Subway also operates in Trenčín, Trnava, Nitra and has two restaurants in Košice. (HN)
Last year, Slovak ferroalloy producer OFZ announced plans to gradually move part of its production from Slovakia to Uzbekistan due to better conditions. However, the situation became complicated on the part of the Uzbek partners. But OFZ has two other plans: the construction of a completely new factory in Asia and Africa. (HN)
WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Heavy cloud cover. The highest daytime temperature will range from -1°C to 6°C. Light breeze. (SHMÚ)
JANUARY 31 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Emil.
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