Good evening. Here is theFriday, January 12 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
The cost of trust for a Smer MP? Nearly half a million euros – but the PM got a great deal
The residential building Sokolská Residence in Bratislava, where Fico rented an apartment from Dušan Munka. (source: SME- Marko Erd)
Prime Minister and Smer leader Robert Fico recently purchased a flat in a swanky area of Bratislava. The property, located in the Sokolská Residence within Bratislava's Old Town borough, was initially leased from long-time Smer member and MP Dušan Muňko.
Real estate experts estimate the flat to be worth in the range of €750,000 to €1 million. Fico's total reported income for the 19-year period 2004-2022 is around €850,000.
However, according to an apartment transfer obtained by the Sme daily, expert Roman Chotár estimated the market value at €551,000, i.e. several hundred thousand euros lower than estimates by other real estate experts. When contacted, Chotár refused to answer questions from a Sme reporter.
According to Muňko, he based the price on Chotár's opinion because he believes him. The former sold the flat for a lower price than the price he paid for it in 2019, which was approximately €600,000. The two have known each other for many years.
Since the Justice Ministry supervises experts in the field, it can check how the expert opinion was made. Whether it will do so remains to be seen, as it is led by Boris Susko, a Smer nominee. The expert supervision section falls under deputy minister Pavel Gašpar – also a nominee of Smer.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR
POSITIVE STORIES: Talented young Slovak are earning prizes and recognition abroad.
TRAFFIC: Governing coalition leader Andrej Danko drives into a traffic light, fails to call the police, flees the scene. Nothing to see here, say his party's MPs.
FREE EVENTS: Attend an embroidery workshop, hike to a castle and more.
HOW TO GET WARM: The current frosty weather is ideal for visiting a sauna. In Bratislava, lovers of this health-promoting activity now have a wide choice of destinations.
EDUCATION: Slovak universities plan to increase security further following December's mass shooting at a unversity in Prague.
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FEATURE STORY FOR FRIDAY
Global giant in central Slovakia
Artur Gevorkyan (source: Lukáš Klčo )
Over more than 25 years, Armenian Artur Gevorkyan has built up a company in Slovakia that bears his name and specialises in powder metallurgy.
Its strong position on the market is reflected not only in its continuously growing sales, but also its list of customers. These include engineering companies such as Siemens, as well as fashion houses like Yves Saint Laurent and Versace.
EVENTS FOR THE WEEKEND
Let the season of balls begin
A ball where the dress code is inspired by Slovak folk costumes. (source: TASR)
The beginning of the year is traditionally a time of balls in Slovakia, and 2024 is no exception. In this week's edition of our Weekend round-up, you will find a few ideas on where to go dancing and have fun, as well as a tip on a High Tatras exhibition, where to go ice-skating and two events that involve Slovak traditions.
IN OTHER NEWS
The most important sector of Slovakia's economy – industry – reported a 7.6-percent drop in revenues year-on-year in November 2023. According to the Statistics Office, this was the second worst result seen since the beginning of 2023. Revenues fell in 10 of the 16 monitored industry areas in November.
On Thursday, ex-president Rudolf Schuster received the highest Brazilian state award, the Order of Rio Branco, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. According Brazil's honorary consul in Košice, Daniel Sajták, the award is usually given only to diplomats and people who contribute to the promotion of Brazil; only eight figures across the whole world, including Schuster, have received the honour.
Speaking on the Na Hrane politics show on private broadcaster TV Joj, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) said that he sees public protests against the changes to the Criminal Code as the opposition's natural expression of their view. He maintained that the government promised to make the changes (although they were not specifically set out in any of the governing parties' pre-election programmes – Ed. note) and it's promise must be kept. Kaliňák also added that the goal of the changes is to ensure the code is no longer abused, as he claims it has been. Kaliňák himself was criminally charged, but the charges were dismissed by the general prosecutor via a controversial extra-judicial mechanism. Opposition SaS MP Juraj Krupa lambasted Kaliňák, saying the bill in question has been tailor-made for select people close to the government. On Thursday, at least 35,000 people protested against the changes in the streets of Slovak towns, according to an estimate by the Sme daily.
The third trial involving tax fraudster Ladislav Bašternák was supposed to start on Friday for the second time. However, he excused himself from the hearing for health reasons and asked for an adjournment. Although the court did not accept his apology and imposed a €1,000 fine on him, it could not act in his absence. The hearing was adjourned until March 14. Together with three other men he is facing charges for making unauthorized applications for VAT refunds in connection with the construction of the Bonaparte residential complex.
A new underground parking house project with a relaxation zone on the level of the surrounding area has been greenlit. It will be built in Kollárovo Square (pictured), near Obchodná Street. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND
Saturday will be mostly cloudy, with scattered snowfall expected in northern Slovakia. Expect daytime temperatures of between -1°C and 3°C. A level 1 snowdrift warning applies to districts around the High Tatras, and a level 1 wind warning on mountains in northern Slovakia.
Sunday will see little change in the weather, but maximum daytime temperatures will rise to 6°C. The level 1 snowdrift warning extends to northern and north-eastern Slovakia. (SHMÚ)
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