Hello. Here is theMonday, October 28 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Shift cuts at Volkswagen spark union concerns
Assembly hall for the Volkswagen Touareg and Škoda Superb body shop in Bratislava in March 2024. (source: TASR - Pavel Neubauer)
As Volkswagen, Europe’s largest car manufacturer, prepares to close three plants in Germany, union representatives at Volkswagen Slovakia are highlighting a reduction in shifts.
“Everyone must have noticed the shift reduction from three-shift to two-shift operations, with recent changes happening almost regularly, production being suspended across segments, and demand for vehicles declining,” wrote Jolana Julkeová, chair of the Volkswagen Modern Union and a member of the company’s supervisory board, in a social media post quoted by Hospodárske noviny.
Julkeová noted that the cuts affect Saturday shifts, particularly in the production of Porsche vehicles.
Volkswagen operates two plants in Slovakia, located in Bratislava and Martin, and is one of the country’s largest employers. In August, the company offered workers a one-off bonus of €600 and agreed to higher salaries. Last month, the firm pledged not to lay off its employees.
Responding to the union’s latest concerns, Volkswagen Slovakia stated that operations remain in line with production plans and emphasised the priority of flexibility in car manufacturing.
“Vehicle production at the Bratislava plant is proceeding according to the production plan,” the company told the daily.
Volkswagen produces the following models in Slovakia: Touareg, Audi Q7, Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne Coupé, Volkswagen Passat, and Škoda Superb.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Politics: In the summer, the Culture Ministry appointed an individual with no library experience and a history of alcohol-related issues as the director of a scientific library.
Last week: Our beloved special contributor Michaela Terenzani has summed up the past week for you, focusing on former Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš’s deal with the Slovak Interior Ministry regarding his controversial past.
Prices:Egg prices are expected to rise in the coming months.
Economy: A rating agency has welcomed the government’s fiscal plan but emphasised the importance of maintaining good relations with the EU.
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FEATURE STORY
Connected but distant: Can smartphones ruin romance for young people?
Nearly 60 percent of Slovaks aged 15 to 34 have used dating apps to find a partner, according to a 2021 Nielsen Admosphere Slovakia survey. (source: Nikol Húsková)
In Trnava, Mária and Milan Mečír share a joyful moment on a bench as they prepare to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, reflecting on a love that began at a dance decades ago. Meanwhile, modern romance takes on a different form for university students, who navigate dating in the digital age and find connections both online and offline.
FESTIVAL
November celebrates photography
A snapshot from the opening of "Persian Identities," an exhibition by Iranian director and photographer Maryam Firuzi, as part of the 33rd edition of the Month of Photography festival at the Gallery of the Slovak Union of Visual Artists in Bratislava on October 31, 2023. (source: TASR - Dano Veselský)
The Month of Photography is Slovakia’s oldest and largest curated festival dedicated to photography and visual arts. Experience a captivating showcase of talent and creativity that celebrates the power of imagery throughout November. Festival pass: €15.
IN OTHER NEWS
On Monday, a session began in parliament at the request of the opposition regarding the potential removal of Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (nominated by the far-right Slovak National Party). A vote on whether she will remain in office is expected to take place on October 29. Lawmakers should also have time to vote on the confidence of Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer). There is a risk that some coalition MPs from the Hlas party might vote for her dismissal, although this seems unlikely as it would breach the coalition agreement. Nevertheless, not all coalition MPs are satisfied with the culture minister’s performance, and unrest is brewing among those working in the cultural sector against her.
On the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia (October 28, 1918), Slovak PM and Smer leader Robert Fico criticised Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala for his critical remarks about the Slovak Interior Ministry’s legal settlement with former Czech prime minister Andrej Babiš over his dark past. Fico hopes that this was merely an “excess that does not establish a tradition of unwarranted interference in Slovakia’s sovereign affairs.”
Lutherans in Bratislava’s Old Town have supported Pastor Anna Polcková and rejected the notion that same-sex relationships are a sin, a stance endorsed by the leadership of the Lutheran Church in Slovakia. During a Sunday convention, 189 members of the congregation voiced their disagreement with this position. (Denník N)
Justice Minister Boris Susko has cancelled a competition in which his predecessors selected the site for the Bratislava III and IV District Courts. He has now chosen the same firm but will pay €47 million instead of the initially proposed €39.2 million. (Sme)
Slovakia’s overall deficit in 2023 reached €6.4 billion, representing 5.21 percent of the country’s GDP. This figure has tripled compared to 2022.
During the programming period from 2021 to 2027, Slovakia has so far utilised €149.62 million from European Union sources across five programmes. This represents an absorption rate of 1.17 percent. (TASR)
On October 30, PM Fico will depart with a delegation of ministers and business leaders for China. The primary aim of this multi-day visit is to deepen bilateral Slovak-Chinese relations and enhance mutual economic cooperation. (TASR)
Swiss tennis player Stan Wawrinka holds a press conference in Bratislava on Monday, October 28, 2024. A three-time Grand Slam champion, Wawrinka will be the main attraction at the Slovak Open 2024 challenger tournament, which takes place in Bratislava from October 28 to November 3. (source: TASR - Pavel Neubauer)
WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: Prepare for mostly clear skies, with more clouds expected in the north and east. In the morning, there may be fog and occasional drizzle in some areas. Otherwise, it will be warm, with temperatures ranging from 13°C to 20°C. Fog warnings are in place for many districts in central and eastern Slovakia. (SHMÚ)
OCTOBER 29 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Klára.
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