Good evening. Here is the Friday, October 18 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
New minister secures more funds for health workers, but discontent lingers
President Peter Pellegrini (right) with the new health minister, Kamil Šaško. (source: TASR)
Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas) announced on Friday, October 18 that, after negotiations with Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický (Smer) and the governing coalition, he had secured an additional financial package for Slovak health-care workers. The package, amounting to over €100 million, is being assigned to boost workers' salaries.
Šaško confirmed that the amount is final and cannot be exceeded.
"It already significantly impacts next year’s state budget deficit," the health minister said.
President Peter Pellegrini said on October 8 that he would not sign the fiscal consolidation package, which includes slower wage growth for health-care workers, unless a compromise solution is found. Since this condition was met on Friday, according to President Pellegrini, he signed the government's fiscal consolidation package.
Doctors are being offered a salary increase of 6.4 percent, instead of the current 3 percent. "This represents an average salary increase of €163 per month for each doctor. There will be no salary freeze or reduction," Šaško stated. Doctors' original demand was for an increase of €252 per month, as promised in the 2022 memorandum signed with the Eduard Heger government.
Pellegrini praised the new minister's efforts to stabilise conditions for health-care staff.
"Personally, I do not believe that the small difference between the union's demands and the government's offer for doctors' salary increases should, or could, be a reason for doctors to continue using pressure tactics, unsettling Slovak patients and holding them hostage," the president declared.
However, only paramedics are satisfied with Šaško's offer, which ensures that their wage growth will not be reduced. The nurses' union stands by the doctors, arguing that there are no nurses without doctors. More than 3,000 hospital doctors are ready to stop working overtime, which could paralyse healthcare services in the afternoons and at night in many hospitals. Moreover, these doctors may quit their jobs and leave the country altogether, as they did in 2011, when military and Czech doctors had to step in until the government signed a memorandum with discontent doctors.
The doctors' union will respond to the offer next week.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Medicine: The university pharmacy at Ružinov Polyclinic in Bratislava has ended 24-hour opening and now closes at 19:00. It said the costs of round-the-clock operation were unsustainable, and that most prescriptions were filled before 22:00, with night-time visits primarily for non-urgent items.
Opinion: The editor-in-chief of the Sme daily, Beata Balogová, citing Ukrainian journalist Anzhela Slobodian's experience of Russian captivity, comments on the pro-Russian views of politicians like Ľuboš Blaha and Robert Fico, who ignore the harsh realities of Putin’s regime and label its critics "Russophobes".
Good news: Brighten up your day with a fresh selection of feel-good stories. This week, find out whether a mysterious creature was spotted in the High Tatras, what awaits you in the recently opened Garden of Slovak-American Cultural Heritage, and how Slovakia became a champion in minifootball.
Weekend: Prepare for Bratislava Jazz Days or for beer- and music-related festivities – or maybe you can't wait for winter, so take notes on when public ice skating will begin. For all these details and more, check out Slovak Spectator writer Matúš Beňo's weekend highlights.
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FEATURE STORY
Experience Piešťany like never before
(source: Ján Pallo)
Tired of the same old type of city tour? Why not try a live-action theatrical tour? The city of Piešťany offers a unique opportunity for its visitors to explore the town through the life story of Ľudovít Winter, who transformed this small western-Slovak city into a renowned spa destination. Recently launched in English, the tour features actors in period costumes, who provide an engaging narrative alongside audio commentary that highlights Winter's fascinating life.
EVENT IN THE COMING WEEK
Experience the magic: Bratislava Mozart Festival begins with Requiem
(source: Facebook)
Bring a touch of the classics into your life! The Bratislava Mozart Festival kicks off with a spectacular performance of the maestro's Requiem by top musicians. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in a truly magnificent atmosphere! For more details, check out the Top 10 events section by The Slovak Spectator.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovakia has lost a talented athlete, Patrícia Tajcnárová, a 22-year-old bobsleigh athlete, who has adopted Czech citizenship. Born in Stockholm and raised in Slovakia, she expressed her relief, saying, "The conditions in Slovakia are insane. Those in charge should quickly reflect on what they are doing." Tajcnárová, the grand-niece of 1972 hockey world champion Rudolf Tajcnár, is preparing for the World Cup series and next year’s World Championships in Lake Placid. Her long-term goal is to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo. At the same time, Slovakia has gained a new athlete: Lukáš Steklý, a junior world champion in speed skating. He cited issues with the Czech federation as the reason for his change of citizenship. (Sportnet)
Peter Kažimír, the governor of the National Bank of Slovakia and a former finance minister for the Smer party, has criticised a report by the Denník N daily about a villa on the French Riviera as "propaganda". He refused to comment on the financial matters of his partner, Katarína Korecká, who co-owns the villa. "I have no reason to comment on the financial situation of the family of my children's mother, to anyone, and especially not to journalists," Kažimír stated in a video in which he reads from a teleprompter. Kažimír, who is being prosecuted for corruption and whom a judge has already found guilty of accepting a bribe, also denied owning any foreign property. He did not explain why a company linked to his partner had reportedly received €1.5 million from a Cypriot firm. (Denník N)
Bratislava is grappling with the aftermath of severe flooding and a political conflict involving Smer party lawmakers and the Transport Ministry over the removal of kerbson Vajanského Embankment, a short road section in central Bratislava. Mayor Matúš Vallo recently met with Transport Minister Jozef Ráž to address these issues and discuss future developments in areas like Mlynské Nivy and the Winter Harbour. Vallo emphasised the importance of collaboration with the government during the flood crisis and raised concerns about a transportation law that prioritises a single cycling route over comprehensive safety measures. He also criticised recent police raids on nightclubs as ideologically driven and called for a more sensible law enforcement approach. Vallo underscored the necessity of cooperation with the state on European funds and drug-related crime management while ensuring the city's urban development meets modern standards. (Denník N)
A legal dispute between businessman Ivan Kmotrík and the state over the National Football Stadium has resumed after two years, following an inconclusive ruling by the European Court of Justice. The court's neutral responses mean that the key decisions will remain with national courts, and the state remains at risk of a €120-million loss. Kmotrík, who had hoped for a favourable outcome, is now facing increased liabilities due to rising costs and state claims for repayment of a €27.2 million subsidy. Despite the ongoing legal battle, discussions about a possible settlement have stalled under both previous and current governments. (Sme)
The General Prosecutor's Office has halted the prosecution of critics (experts, journalists, and activists) of the pro-Russian AllatRa movement from Ukraine, which is also known in Slovakia as the Creative Society.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Robert Fico met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen but declined to comment on their discussions. He accused the opposition of working in Brussels to make life difficult for Maroš Šefčovič, the Slovak government's nominee for the commission, in the European Parliament, where hearings for new commissioners will take place on November 4. Fico did not cite any evidence to support his allegations. Meanwhile, Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán noted on Hungarian public radio that Fico has returned to the political scene with intensity, following a recent assassination attempt that he attributed to a "leftist activist". The political orientation of the alleged attacker has not been established; in fact, Fico describes himself as a left-wing "social democrat". (Denník N)
Hiking on Mount Babky in the Western Tatras in October 2024. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: The weather this weekend is expected to be mostly clear. However, there may be localised fog or low cloud in the mornings. The highest daytime temperatures will range from 12°C to 17°C. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA:Saturday, October 19 -Kristián; Sunday, October 20 - Vendelín; Monday, October 21 - Uršuľa.
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