Good evening. Here is theThursday, December 14 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in fewer than five minutes.
Towns raise taxes to patch holes in budgets
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
As of January 2024, the city of Bratislava will increase the real estate tax by 35 percent and the waste collection fee by 30 percent on average. This stems from a a draft of generally binding regulations, approved by the Bratislava City council.
According to the council, increasing both taxes is an inevitable step for Bratislava to preserve its basic standards of maintenance and services.
When it comes to the real estate tax for apartments and houses, it will increase to between €1.20 - €1.35 per square metre, depending on the location. As for cottages and recreational buildings, the rate should be €3.40 - €5.25 per m2. In the case of garages, it will be €2.25 - €3 per m2. The fee for the removal of municipal waste has not changed for nine years.
However, the increase should not affect the elderly.
Other towns in Slovakia are increasing these taxes as well.
Nitra residents will pay €50 instead of €42, while it will be €0.039 instead of €0.03 per litre for companies and institutions. Ružomberok residents will pay €44 for waste removal and €0.40 per square metre for the real estate tax. Stropkov residents will pay €30 for waste, their real estate tax rising as well. People in Rimavská Sobota will pay €39 for waste, while the real estate tax will increase by 19 percent on average. The town of Nové Zámky will increase the waste removal tax by 75 percent compared to the current fee. The town of Pezinok is tripling the real estate tax in the case of houses, and quadrupling it in relation to apartments.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
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TRAVEL: New rules in the High Tatras ahead of a new ski mountaineering season.
FREE ACTIVITIES: Guided tours through the renewed Slovak National Gallery as well as the concert of a popular band.
REAL ESTATE: After many years of waiting, a new project in Bratislava's wider centre is set to offer 656 apartments.
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FEATURE STORY FOR THURSDAY
Slovak Christmas 101
(source: TASR)
If this is your first Slovak Christmas, you might want to learn a little of the holiday lingo.
For complete beginners the word Vianoce, which takes a plural verb, is a stumbling block. Strange as it sounds, Vianoce sú - literally means "Christmas are". Learn more in the holiday edition of Slovak Matters.
EVENT FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS
Where to get gift ideas
Illustrative image. (source: Matúš Beňo)
Brighten up your Christmas season with designer beauty, handmade cuteness and artisan quality. Between December 15-20, the Christmas SAShE x Tržnica Nivy market will take place at the Mlynské Nivy locality, offering a wealth of ideas for gifts or home decoration.
Quality fashion for children and adults, original jewelry, natural cosmetics, stylish home accessories, stimulating toys and irresistible delicacies; there is plenty to choose from. Click here for more information.
IN OTHER NEWS
The opposition parties Progresívne Slovensko, SaS and KDH will organise another series of protests against the government next Tuesday, December 19. One will be held in Bratislava on Námestie SNP square, and others in Košice, Banská Bystrica, Nitra, Žilina, Trenčín, Liptovský Mikuláš and Považská Bystrica. At the same time, the petition against changes to the Criminal Code, including the abolition of the Special Prosecutor's Office, has been signed by more than 50,000 people. The opposition is also ready to obstruct the current debate in parliament as long as possible, even during Christmas. (TASR)
The November 2023 inflation in Slovakia amounted to 6.2 percent, dropping for the ninth consecutive month, the Statistics Office reported on Thursday. The price growth has slowed down by an average of 1 percentage point every month over the past couple of months. (TASR)
Slovakia and NATO differ in the opinion on military aid to Ukraine, as the Slovak government doesn't believe it would help to resolve the situation, said PM Robert Fico during a joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The latter stressed that halting military aid to Kiev won't shorten the war in Ukraine, but rather prolong it. (TASR)
The European Commission will not hesitate to intervene against Slovakia in any way, including the restriction of funds, if the actions of Robert Fico's government regarding the rule of law violate EU rules, said Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, who described the changes to the Criminal Code as 'worrying'. (Denník N)
The Roma Union in Slovakia civic association filed a criminal complaint in the Prešov regional prosecutor's office in regards to the €500 contribution for participation in the September election promised by Igor Matovič (formerly OĽaNO, now the Slovensko movement). They also called on Matovič to keep his promise to the Roma. Union President František Tanko said that the Roma had been deceived. (TASR)
Demolition of a house damaged during the October 9 earthquake in the village of Baškovce, eastern Slovakia. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR FRIDAY
Partly cloudy, locally overcast especially in the northern areas. Occasional showers. Daily temperatures between 2 °C to 7 °C. (SHMÚ)
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