Good evening. Here is the Friday, April 4 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Culture minister flies on government jet while sending empty limo to Rome
Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (source: sita)
Amidst a government fiscal "consolidation" push that earlier this year resulted in a 3-percentage-point hike in VAT and, just days ago, saw the imposition of a new "transaction tax" that requires businesses to pay an extra levy on almost every outgoing digital transfer and payment they make, Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (SNS) has made a clear demonstration of how she believes taxpayers' money should be spent.
On Thursday afternoon, together with President Peter Pellegrini and three other government ministers, she arrived at Rome's Ciampino Airport on board a government jet, reported the Denník N daily. While the president and other ministers were collected by cars from the Slovak Embassy, Šimkovičová was picked up by her own ministerial limousine, a top-of-the-range 5-litre V8 Mercedes S-class, which had been driven from Bratislava by a state-employed chauffeur and security detail.
Journalist Lucia Stráňavová from TV Joj was the first to notice that Šimkovičová did not get into an embassy car, but into a ministerial limousine with Slovak registration plates; this was later also reported by the TVnoviny.sk news website.
2,260 kilometres, fuel, highway tolls and other costs
Šimkovičová flew to Rome with one state security officer and Petra Bačinská, the director of her communications department. Peter Pellegrini also flew to Rome with his security and communications director, as well as the head of presidential protocol. However, the president did not send his own limousines to the airport.
The other members of the delegation, including Education Minister Tomáš Drucker (Hlas), Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (SNS), and Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas), were transported in Rome by cars with Italian and diplomatic plates or by local Mercedes minibuses arranged by the Slovak Embassy in the Vatican City.
The delegation is on a three-day visit to the Vatican and Rome for the so-called national pilgrimage, which around 4,000 Slovak believers are attending. On Friday, the delegation was scheduled to meet Pope Francis, but the meeting was cancelled as the pontiff is still recovering after his recent hospitalisation.
The shortest driving route from the Culture Ministry in Bratislava to Ciampino Airport and back is a distance of 2,260 kilometres. Depending on prevailing traffic conditions, the journey takes between 24 and 32 hours at normal speeds. In addition to the fuel costs, tolls, and vehicle depreciation, the salary and overtime of the driver(s), accommodation, food, and allowances would also have to be paid for.
Why did Šimkovičová send an empty car 1,200 kilometres to Rome when the local embassy could have provided equivalent transport?
Denník N asked about the decision to send a limousine to Rome, and reported receiving the following responses:
The culture minister, in addition to her joint programme with President Pellegrini, also has a "subsequent individual work programme". What exactly this programme consists of is unknown as Bačinská did not respond to journalists' questions about what Šimkovičová plans to do in Rome (or elsewhere).
Another reason cited for the move is increased security. Šimkovičová supposedly requires enhanced security, according to a decision by the Office for the Protection of Constitutional Officials.
The minister is "fulfilling her work duties, and partial individual transportation on-site will help with the logistics".
The minister "always follows the recommendations of the Office for the Protection of Constitutional Officials and fully respects the office's instructions".
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Transaction tax: Slovak businesses have begun paying the new transaction tax – could it end up changing how consumers pay for goods and services?
Hotel reborn: A Syrian investor is finally completing a long-delayed hotel in Bratislava 17 years after construction first began.
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FEATURE STORY
30 years of transformation: How key players shaped Slovakia’s market economy
The IKEA furniture store in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
The fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989 not only reshaped the political landscape of Europe; it also unlocked new business opportunities in Slovakia. IKEA, McDonald’s, the sport aircraft manufacturer Tomark, the telecoms provider Slovanet, and the Slovak arm of Citibank are marking 30 years on the Slovak market this year. Discover how these pioneers helped transform the country's economy.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Ecology can be about saving
Turn your balcony green. (source: PROFIMEDIA.SK)
On Saturday, April 5, come to KOLO Ružinov to learn how to create your own edible balcony. It might sound impossible or even bizarre, but it’s a fantastic way to bring greenery to a concrete city and grow your own herbs, fruits and vegetables. Turn even a 10th-floor balcony into a thriving urban garden suitable for consumption!
IN OTHER NEWS
Prime Minister Robert Fico, in a speech at Bratislava's Slavín war memorial, criticised EU ambassadors for not attending the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Bratislava, especially as Russian Ambassador Igor Bratchikov and Belarusian Ambassador Andrej Dapkiunas were present. He stated, "A small child might sulk, but ambassadors must work and communicate." Fico believed the ambassadors missed an opportunity to engage at the event. He called the absence of EU ambassadors "inappropriate and disrespectful to the victims of World War II" and mentioned he had honoured the victims in Normandy, the USA, and would visit London – as well as attend a May 9 military parade in Moscow. (Denník N)
Due to the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia, Austria will temporarily close two border crossings with Slovakia from Saturday: Angern-March – Záhorská Ves and Schloss Hof – Devínska Nová Ves. Austria's Interior Ministry said the decision was made in coordination with local authorities, agricultural chambers, and the agriculture ministry. Since last week, 53 Austrian army disaster relief soldiers (AFDRU) have been assisting Slovak authorities, including by disinfecting trucks at the Rusovce – Rajka border crossing with Hungary. (Sme)
A preventive security operation took place on Thursday near the Ukrainian border in Prešov Region. According to the police, the operation focused on searching for weapons, ammunition, explosives, as well as narcotic and psychotropic substances. "In addition to our riot police units, colleagues from Humenné also took part in the operation, fulfilling duties related to the above-mentioned goals. No illegal activity or criminal offence was detected during the inspections," the police said. Similar operations will continue in the future. (Sme)
The Economy Ministry has announced three funding calls worth a total of €163 million to help businesses lower energy costs and boost the use of renewable energy (RES). The funds come from EU structural funds and the Recovery Plan, and will launch later this month. The first call, "Green for Businesses," offers €66 million for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to install RES technologies like heat pumps and solar panels, with a support cap of €50,000 per applicant. The second, worth €67 million, supports energy efficiency and RES in businesses, with grants ranging from €50,000 to €3 million. The third call allocates €30 million for building RES electricity facilities and battery storage systems, with a maximum grant of €2.5 million per project. (Sme, TASR)
From April 7, Tatra Banka is lowering rates on its short-term fixed mortgages. The 3-year fix drops from 3.79 to 3.69 percent, and through May, clients can get a 3.49 percent rate if they meet certain conditions. Refinancing clients must use two other bank products, but the bank will cover early repayment fees and waive its own. It is the lowest 3-year fix on the market, matched only by UniCredit Bank, and marks a continued fall in mortgage rates after they spiked in 2022. (Finsider)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: Unlike today's mostly fine conditions, the weekend weather will more changeable, with cloudy conditions especially in the north. Isolated thunderstorms may occur, and temperatures will gradually drop during Saturday, accompanied by windy conditions. On Sunday, even some snowfall is expected in northern Slovakia. Saturday will still be relatively warm, with highs ranging from 14°C to 20°C. However, Sunday will bring a noticeable drop in temperatures, with daytime highs of only 4°C to 9°C. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) has issued a Level 1 warning for strong winds across all regions except Bratislava on Saturday. By Sunday, the wind warning will apply nationwide. Additionally, a Level 1 frost warning for the growing season will be in effect across all regions except Žilina. (SHMÚ)
WEEKEND PARTY TIME: This weekend, Miroslava, Irena and — last but not least — Zoltán are marking their name days. Don’t forget to send your best wishes: Miroslava on Saturday (5 April), Irena on Sunday (6 April), and Zoltán on Monday (7 April).
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