Good evening. Here is theThursday, September 26 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Promoting Slovakia with a Russian twist
Minister of Investments and Regional Development Richard Raši. (source: TASR)
The Ministry of Investments and Regional Development has decided to promote its new operational programme, Slovensko (Slovakia), along with the benefits of European funding for Slovak regions, through a series of short videos. However, a significant issue has emerged: at least one of these videos partially promotes Russia.
“Four videos depict Slovakia as a beautiful country to live in, but the message hasn’t quite landed,” noted Andrej Kmeťo from the creative studio Ideas & Innovations, who previously managed promotional projects for the ministry. He explained that the footage used in one of the videos was sourced from a publicly available database and originated in Russia. These images were created by someone using the name Viktor Fedorov.
It is reminiscent of the 1998 billboards from former prime minister Vladimír Mečiar. Smiling from the billboards, Mečiar proclaimed Slovakia to be ‘the country of our heart’. Yet, instead of showcasing the Slovak landscape in the background, the campaign’s late creator and entrepreneur, Fedor Flašík, opted for a Swiss countryside image sourced from a stock photo database.
An election billboard for HZDS in 1998. (source: SME/Tibor Somogyi)
“Now, under Minister Richard Raši, we have ‘the country where we care for our regions’ featuring footage from Russia,” said Kmeťo, adding that using Russian footage, given the ongoing war in the neighbouring country, is particularly distasteful.
Opposition politician and former minister of regional development Veronika Remišová seized the opportunity to criticise the media campaign, which is costing €4 million and funded by European sources, calling it ‘a colossal blunder’ on the part of her successor, Minister Raši from the governing party Hlas. She also condemned the fact that the campaign primarily benefits media outlets linked to the Penta financial group and private television stations.
A picture from Russia used in the criticised video. (source: Andrej Kmeťo)
The picture above found in a stock photo database. (source: Andrej Kmeťo)
While the ministry continues to showcase the criticised video on its Facebook page, the controversial spot is no longer accessible on YouTube. The ministry has acknowledged the error in one of the four videos. “Every good campaign sparks discussion, and this one is no exception,” the ministry stated to the website omediach.com, thanking Kmeťo, a former employee, for pointing out the use of non-Slovak footage.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Taxes: The finance minister has decided to lower VAT not only on books but also on accommodation services, marking a shift in the government’s approach to consolidating public finances.
History: A little-known chapter in history reveals how Austrian Empress Maria Theresa played a crucial role in protecting Slovak villages from potential fire.
Events: Excitement is building as ŠK Slovan Bratislava prepares to host Manchester City next week. The match is just one of many exciting events happening in the city, offering something for everyone.
Business: Plans for a new harbour in Bratislava have stirred controversy. While some see it as a step forward, critics warn that it threatens thousands of trees and valuable wetlands.
History: While the Tri Duby airfield is well known for its role in the Slovak National Uprising, the nearby Zolná airfield also played a crucial part, though it remains a lesser-spoken chapter in the country’s wartime history.
Environment: Slovakia’s environment minister may have dismissed a damming project on the Danube as “just dumping a few pebbles”, but conservationists are pushing back. Experts warn that the plan could have devastating effects on the country’s natural landscape.
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RESTAURANT REVIEW
The Brunch Benedict steals the spotlight
Bistro 24 in Bratislava. (source: Mark Taylor)
Mark Taylor takes us on a culinary journey to a Bratislava bistro, where he finally finds the perfect hearty brunch experience he has been searching for in Slovakia.
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Join Philippe Cochard, a Parisian who fell in love with Bratislava during his Erasmus days, as he leads a walk around the places in Bratislava that he likes.
IN OTHER NEWS
On Thursday, parliament approved the consolidation package in its first reading. The debate was limited to 12 hours, divided according to the political strength of the parties represented. The opposition criticised the restriction on discussion. The second reading is scheduled for next Tuesday. On the same day, lawmakers also advanced the tax on financial transactions to the second reading.
On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer) held discussions with the foreign ministers of the G20 group in New York. In his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Blanár prioritised Slovakia’s interests in energy security. He also reiterated Slovakia’s consistent stance on the conflict in Ukraine, emphasising the violation of international law and the necessity of seeking a peaceful resolution. (TASR)
In Bardejov, the son of a Gazprom billionaire who helps shield Vladimir Putin’s assets has settled in, according to Aktuality. Sergej Tregub has been on the UK sanctions list since 2023 due to his family’s close ties with Gazprom’s leadership and the Russian president.
The Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority and other agencies should raise their alert levels to ensure Slovakia can respond effectively to any potential nuclear incident in Ukraine. This was stated by Slovak President Peter Pellegrini during a briefing at the United Nations in New York on September 25. He responded to the speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to him, Russia is attempting to target three Ukrainian nuclear power plants. (TASR)
Opposition MP Martina Holečková has proposed reducing the VAT on period products to 5 percent. Period poverty primarily affects single mothers. A survey by the NMS agency in May of this year revealed that as many as 44 percent of women have been unable to afford period products at least once in their lives. Jana Žitňanská from the non-parliamentary party Demokrati pointed to a foreign study indicating that, on average, a woman spends €3,800 on pads and tampons over her lifetime. “Surrounding EU countries have significantly lower VAT rates on these hygiene products; for example, Poland charges 5 percent, Croatia 7 percent, Austria 10 percent, and Italy 5 percent. There are also non-EU countries that have a 0 percent VAT on these products,” Žitňanská stated (TASR).
Vulgar attacks by far-right MP Rudolf Huliak (SNS) on queer MP Lucia Plaváková (PS) will be addressed by the Mandate and Immunity Parliamentary Committee. Huliak, who targeted the MP after misinterpreting her statements (which were quotes from a court ruling), has refused to apologise for his remarks.
On Thursday, September 26, inflatable models of the Sun and the planets from the solar system were installed in the park beneath the SNP Memorial in Banská Bystrica. This event is being held to celebrate World Tourism Day, which is marked by cultural institutions throughout the Banská Bystrica Region. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Expect overcast to cloudy skies, with occasional breaks in the clouds. Rain or showers are likely in several areas as the day progresses. During the day, temperatures will reach between 16°C and 23°C, rising to as high as 26°C in the southeast. (SHMÚ)
SEPTEMBER 27 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Cyprián.
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