Good evening. Here is theTuesday, April 2edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Caught in a lie, humiliated by Fico
Speaker of Parliament Peter Pellegrini photographed in Bratislava on April 2, 2024. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
Presidential candidate and Hlas party leader Peter Pellegrini was supposed to participate in a Tuesday debate hosted by Radio Expres. He declined the offer last weekend, claiming that he would be meeting people in the region.
Nonetheless, the Sme daily discovered him in Bratislava at midday on Tuesday, during which the debate, albeit without Pellegrini, took place. Later, he left for Nové Mesto nad Váhom where he gave a speech in a local cultural house in front of coalition politicians. His speech was supposed to focus on his party, Hlas. Instead, he talked about why he should be president and criticised his opponent, former diplomat Ivan Korčok.
It was also reported that Hlas MP Peter Náhlik owns a luxury house in Bratislava-Vrakuňa. On Tuesday night, in TV Markíza's televised debate, Pellegrini confirmed that he sometimes uses the villa. Pellegrini also used a private plane owned by the lawmaker to travel to eastern Slovakia last week. On Tuesday, Igor Matovič, the leader of Slovensko and former premier, filmed a video outside the villa. A similar manoeuver was executed by Matovič prior to the 2020 parliamentary election, and he ultimately prevailed in the election, in part, thanks to the video.
The Hlas leader officially owns a €410,000 luxury flat under the Bratislava Castle.
On Tuesday, PM Robert Fico posted a video to attack Korčok and to tell his viewers that Pellegrini isn't "the perfect presidential candidate", adding that he'll stand for Slovakia and not against it on fundamental issues. Smer supports Pellegrini.
ELECTION UPDATES:
On Wednesday, 20 protests, arranged by individuals, are scheduled to take place, including a gathering in Bratislava (17:30, Námestie SNP), facilitated by Korčok.
Korčok was endorsed ahead of the second round by 10 members of last year's technocratic government led by Ľudovít Ódor.
The six non-parliamentary parties (Demokrati, DS, Fórum, Modrí-ES, ODS, Strana Rómskej Koalície) endorsed Korčok and urged people to participate in the election on April 6.
AFocus poll for TV Markízaindicates that Pellegrini would have won the second round if the final round had taken place at the end of March.
More stories from The Slovak Spectator website
Politics: A popular Slovak actress is facing verbal harassment after the environment minister's Easter attack on the public broadcaster.
Legislation: Non-governmental organisations have urged the cabinet and the parliament to reject a legislative proposal regarding NGOs drafted by Slovenská Národná Strana
Last Week in Slovakia: Pellegrini's "peace"-driven campaign falls apart ahead of round two.
Easter: Not just tables full of delicacies and rejoicings accompany Easter, but also curious insurance claims.
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FEATURE STORY FOR TUESDAY
Why once culturally rich Spiš region is now underdeveloped
Jews from Poprad in the High Tatras in 1937. (source: Archive of V. A. )
The rich diversity of Spiš dates back to the Middle Ages. But at the turn of 19th and 20th centuries, Spiš experienced a huge wave of emigration and a drastic transformation of the region began.
BRATISLAVA EVENT
Free museums
The Transport Museum in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
Don't forget that almost 10 museums and galleries in Bratislava are open, free of charge, on the first Wednesday of the month (tomorrow). Here's what you can do in Bratislava this week for free.
WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Little cloud cover. Occasional showers. Daytime temperatures will range from 15°C to 20°C.(SHMÚ)
APRIL 3 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Richard.
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