Adam Lučanský (source: TASR)
Good evening. Here is the Friday, November 22 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes
SNS MP proposes to regulate lobbying by NGOs
Adam Lučanský, who presented the amendment to the NGO Act. (source: TASR)
A new amendment to Slovakia’s NGO Act, proposed by Slovak National Party (SNS) MP Adam Lučanský, would regulate the lobbying activities of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), classifying them as lobbyists rather than "foreign-funded" groups.
This change would remove the previous requirement to label organisations receiving over €5,000 from foreign sources as "foreign-supported" – seen as disturbingly reminiscent of Russia's "foreign agent" law, which has been used to stigmatise and criminalise groups and individuals there at the whim of the Russian government.
Instead, NGOs would be required to register and disclose their lobbying activities, including financial details and the identities of donors. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to €10,000 or even the dissolution, by court order, of offending organisations.
Lučanský argues that the regulation of lobbying is essential to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest. He stresses that lobbying, while legitimate in democratic societies, must adhere to principles of transparency and accountability.
The amendment has attracted criticism from civil society groups, who argue that it could restrict their ability to influence public policy, and would deter public engagement.
The original proposal, which sought to label NGOs receiving funds from abroad, was criticised for potentially undermining Slovakia’s civil society and its relations with the European Union. The revised amendment aims to align more closely with European legal standards while still maintaining greater oversight of NGOs' political activities.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Weekend: Christmas markets, candlelit movie soundtracks, board games, a Lego city, and much more await this weekend – pick your favourite way to relax.
Good news: A 16-year-old dancer, Mishena, qualified for the world finals of the Red Bull Dance competition, more Alpine swifts have been nesting in Michalovce in recent years, and meet the Trnava native chosen as the global Man of the Year – here’s our latest selection of feel-good news to brighten your day!
Development: Bratislava's skyline will be transformed by two record-breaking skyscrapers, one of which is planned to reach 260 metres tall. That would make it the EU's second highest building.
Culture: Discover how Hon Chong's journey from Malaysia to Slovakia led to the creation of a thriving improv theatre scene in Bratislava, now celebrating a decade of laughter and creativity.
Robbery: A terrifying home invasion in Nitra left members of a Vietnamese family in hospital and robbed of over €100,000. Police are working to track down the masked assailants.
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FEATURE STORY
The age of the bully?
Veteran KDH MP František Mikloško speaks during a November 17 opposition gathering in Bratislava marking the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. (source: Jozef Jakubčo)
A recent experience at an airport boarding gate prompts The Slovak Spectator's James Thomson to reflect on the recent US election result, and the Slovak government’s casual defence of state violence. "Unfortunately, we humans, when given permission, quite like to witness suffering – and sometimes to inflict it," he notes. Read his column here.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
In anticipation of Christmas
Christmas in Bratislava (source: visitbratislava.com)
Christmas is approaching, and Bratislava is radiating a magical atmosphere. How about Saturday Christmas carols in the centre of Bratislava? This year, come to Františkánske Námestie to enjoy traditions from the Hont region of southern Slovakia.
IN OTHER NEWS
Martin Buday will not compete in the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial arts event due to health issues. The Slovak heavyweight was reportedly injured during a training camp in England, according to the MMA Shorties website. Buday was scheduled to fight Rizvan Kuniev on December 7 in Las Vegas, marking Kuniev's UFC debut. (Sportnet)
Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák met Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz on Friday to discuss regional security and defence industry cooperation. They focused on building self-sufficiency in the sector and identified several joint projects for both countries' armed forces, with potential for international success. Kosiniak-Kamysz highlighted Slovakia's defence industry capabilities and stressed the importance of Slovak partnership for Poland's large-scale production of heavy-calibre ammunition. The ministers also agreed to prepare an intergovernmental agreement on defence industry cooperation, with further collaboration possible in special forces, military training, and education. (TASR)
The Interior Ministry has signed a contract for software licences worth nearly €43.5 million as part of central procurement. The contract, valid for three years, will be paid in three instalments: over €11.5 million by January 2025, nearly €16 million in 2026, and the same amount by January 2027. The vendor is required to deliver tens of thousands of licences by mid-December and provide system support throughout the contract’s duration. (TASR)
Almost five years after Boris Kollár, leader of the Sme Rodina party, made it into government partly on the back of a promise (so far unfulfilled) to build 25,000 rental apartments annually, Slovakia’s rental housing scheme has seen a surprising twist. Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that the European Commission has no issue with a proposed five-percent VAT rate on new rental housing construction, allowing the project to proceed. The government has softened criteria for investors, reducing the required turnover for eligibility, which is expected to attract new investors. However, Fico has avoided specific promises on the number of units, emphasising that even a small number would be a success. The state has signed contracts with two Austrian investors for 500 apartments each in the first phase. (SME)
The Donovaly and Šturec mountain passes are closed to lorries over ten metres due to adverse weather conditions. A snowplough is pictured at the Donovaly pass near Banská Bystrica on 22 November 2024. (source: Ján Krošlák)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: Expect changeable conditions, with periods of reduced cloud cover. In the north, occasional snow or snow showers are possible in the mornings. Localised snowdrifts may form, and icy patches are likely on Sunday. Maximum temperatures will range from -2°C to +3°C, with some areas in the southwest reaching around +6°C. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday, November 23 - Klement; Sunday, November 24 - Emília, Monday, November 25 - Katarína.
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