Good afternoon. Here is the Friday, December 8 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Poll: Will the coalition last a full term?
From left: Peter Pellegrini (Hlas), Robert Fico (Smer) and Andrej Danko (SNS) at the signing of the coalition agreement in October. (source: TASR)
Almost two thirds of Slovaks expect the current governing coalition, comprising Smer, Hlas and the Slovak National Party (SNS), to last four years. On the other hand, almost 30 percent of respondents do not expect the coalition to last a full term, a poll has found.
The results stem from a new survey by the AKO polling agency for private channel TV Joj.
About five percent did not express an opinion.
When it comes to regions, residents of Trenčín, Trnava, Banská Bystrica, Bratislava and Žilina Regions, as well as men, people aged 34-49, and voters of Smer, SNS, Hlas, the far-right Republika party and Aliancia, are more likely to think the coalition will last a full term.
On the other hand, women, younger people aged 18-33, and voters of Progresívne Slovensko, KDH, SaS, and the Slovensko movement have the opposite opinion.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
POLITICS: The president is not ruling out using her veto in relation to the government's plan to abolish the Special Prosecutor's Office.
WEEKEND: There are still some events happening that are not related to Christmas! Click here to learn more.
HEALTH: Slovakia's thriving disinformation community has a new target: a proposed WHO pandemic treaty. Coalition MPs are piling on.
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FEATURE STORY FOR FRIDAY
Ground squirrels immortalised on 'banknote'
European ground squirrels revisiting the meadow after hibernation. (source: Radovan Vojenčák)
Thousands of tourists are lured to the Biele Vody meadow in the Muránska Planina National Park each year, to see the European ground squirrels (or svišťs) that live there. These popular animals have now been immortalised on a zero-euro souvenir note, thanks to an initiative by the nearby town of Muráň.
Read a selection of good-news stories from around Slovakia.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND AND COMING DAYS
The winter edition of a popular market
Urban Market. (source: TASR)
Urban Market is a unique cultural and social event that combines a lively design market of contemporary artistic and creative creations with a presentation of locally produced professional fashion, design and art – plus a varied accompanying programme.
This is not the only market taking place in the Slovak capital in the coming days. For more tips on events, have a look at our weekly Top 10 events for foreigners.
IN OTHER NEWS
On social media, opposition parties Progresívne Slovensko, SaS and KDH announced another protest in Bratislava, to be held in Námestie Slobody (Freedom Square) on Tuesday, December 12 at 18:00. This time, events in other towns are being planned as well, and civic organisations will be invited to participate.
Compared to 1990, Slovakia has been able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 44 percent, according to a report presented by the Slovak delegation to the UN's COP28 conference on climate change. This was due to legislation, and changes in the structure of industry and in consumer behaviour. Predictions show that Slovakia will be able to reduce its emissions by 55 percent by 2030. However, it must adopt additional measures. (TASR)
Companies that are members of a multinational group will soon have to pay tax in Slovakia on a share of their global income. The Finance Ministry expects the move to raise income amounting to €48.5 million annually. The bill was approveed on Friday by parliament and will enter into force as of December 31, 2023. (TASR)
The Interior Ministry has built 1,088 new, remotely controlled 4th-generation electronic sirens in 720 towns and villages in Slovakia. The goal was to expand and modernise the network of civil protection sirens to warn the population in case of emergency events. Coverage has been increased to 85 percent of the population from the previous 58 percent. (TASR)
Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer) approved a €750,000 financial contribution for the purchase of two mine-clearing Božena 4+ vehicles intended for Ukraine. (TASR)
The High Tatras, as seen from the village of Mengusovce. Over the last few days several centimetres of new snow have fallen in the region. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND
Skies will be overcast throughout the weekend. Saturday will be foggy, with occasional light snowfall in the western part of the country. Expect daytime temperatures of between -3ºC and 2ºC. Sunday will see more snowfall in many places, with daytime temperatures rising slightly to -2ºC to 3ºC.
A level 1 wind warning has been issued for the western-most districts of Slovakia on Saturday and Sunday, and a level 1 ground ice warning, also for western areas, applies on Sunday. (SHMÚ)
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