Good evening. Here is the Monday, July 1 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
RTVS now STVR
The Slovak Radio building in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
On Sunday night, President Peter Pellegrini signed the law on the dissolution of the public broadcaster RTVS and the creation of STVR instead. Before midnight, it appeared on the list of signed laws on the official website of the President, as well as in the Collection of Laws, entering into force. Last Wednesday, Pellegrini claimed that he would decide on the law this week.
Pellegrini justified his decision by reasoning that the law neither interferes with freedom of speech, nor is it incompatible with the Constitution. The president also does not believe that the law contradicts the international standards to which the Slovakia is bound.
According to reporter Miroslav Frindt who took to social media on Monday, last week the strike committee comprising employees of the former RTVS delivered a request to veto the law to the president. They claimed that the law raises legitimate concerns about the independence and freedom of radio and television production. However, Pellegrini did not respond to the request.
The Progresívne Slovensko (PS), KDH, and SaS opposition parties announced that they are going to file a constitutional complaint against the law, the parties told a press conference on Monday.
PS chair Michal Šimečka called the law a 'takeover of public media', adding that the president confirmed the party's fear that he would not be independent. SaS chair Branislav Gröhling said that the president confirmed that he would be the coalition's extended hand. The Slovensko movement (formerly OĽaNO) also lambasted the president, saying that the law 'turns the public broadcaster into the government's maid".
Meanwhile, the Smer party defended Pellegrini, saying that "The era of opposition and the media yelling and the president siding with them, regardless of the interests of the public that explicitly wants the changes, is over".
Learn more about what will change here. The law comes into effect on July 1.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
LAST WEEK: Smer spoils Pellegrini’s friendly visit to Prague, with coalition MPs showing how they will counteract him as a statesman.
OPINION: As parents and teachers, we should consider ways to help children take a step towards a brighter future.
HEALTH: Slovaks buy diabetes drugs by the thousands in order to lose weight. Experts say a shortage might occur.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The first combined public transport stop in Bratislava nears completion.
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FEATURE STORY FOR MONDAY
War on the mind and canvas
Alyona Yaseneva and her family live in Rimavská Sobota, southern Slovakia. (source: Courtesy of A. Y.)
Through a few friends, a Ukrainian family of painters were told that a family in Slovakia was ready to take them in. The invitation came from complete strangers. Alyona Yaseneva, a mother of three, did not want to believe it, surprised that someone wanted them all.
"We said that there were a lot of us, we also had a cat and rabbit," she recalls. The answer was, "We have two dogs so feel free to come."
EVENTS FOR THE SUMMER
Movies under the night sky
Outdoor cinema next to Kuchajda lake in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
Especially in the summer, watching movies under the night sky has been a staple for quite some time in Slovakia. This year is no exception, with several open-air cinemas in the capital already screening movies. For example, tomorrow the Amfiteáter pri Štrkoveckom jazere venue in Ružinov will screen last year's Barbie; on Wednesday you will be able to see Led Zeppelin's legendary 1973 concert in Madison Square Garden in the Nová Cvernovka venue; while the Kino na Kuchajde cinema allows people to choose a film. In addition, the borough of Rača is also screening movies on select days, just like the T3 venue on the Tyršovo Nábrežie embankment. Admission is usually free.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Spanish contingent is taking over command of the NATO unit in Slovakia, Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer) announced on Monday. Before, the multinational battle group was under the command of the Czech Republic. (TASR)
England beat Slovakia 2-1 in extra time, sending themselves into the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 where they will meet Switzerland on Saturday. Slovakia had a lead from the 25th minute, seconds away from winning the match, when England's Jude Bellingham scored with an overhead kick. Then, in the first minute into extra time Harry Kane scored another goal. (Sportnet)
Slovak goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka (right) watches as England's Harry Kane scores goal in extra time. (source: TASR)
Slovakia claimed four medals - two bronze and two silver - at the ECA Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint Championships held on June 27-30 in Bratislava's Zemník locality on the Danube River. (TASR)
On Monday, the police once again received another bomb threat regarding courts. An anonymous caller said a bomb was placed in one court building, but did provide any details, prompting the police to check all the courts across Slovakia. On Sunday, the police received a bomb threat at the Bratislava Main Railway Station, but it turned out to be false as the police found nothing. (TASR)
The European Commission has approved the fourth payment to Slovakia, worth €923 million, under the recovery plan. (TASR)
During the summer season, the operating hours of the cable cars in the High Tatras have been extended. This means that tourists have more time to hike and can use the cable cars for an easier return. (SITA)
WEATHER FOR TUESDAY:
Mostly cloudy, occasionally expected showers and rain, especially in the east. Daily temperatures will rise to between 21 °C to 26 °C, or up 19 °C in the Žilina and Spiš regions. (SHMÚ)
JULY 2 NAME'S DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Berta
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