News digest: R1 closed for emergency bridge demolition (and no, tanks were not to blame)

Hello. Here is the Friday, September 20 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Banská Bystrica refutes conspiracy claims as Kremnička bridge faces urgent demolition
The Kremnička bridge, which passes over the R1 expressway as it enters Banská Bystrica from the direction of Zvolen, has been closed. Neither cars nor pedestrians are being allowed pass over or under it. (Source: TASR)

A bridge that passes over one of central Slovakia's main arterial roads, the R1 expressway near Banská Bystrica, has been unexpectedly declared to be in a critical condition and will have to be demolished. In the meantime, the R1 has been closed.

If that weren't bad enough, a member of Banská Bystrica City Council, Matúš Molitoris, has taken to spreading a baseless hoax on social media claiming that the bridge was damaged by tanks and heavy military vehicles that took part in a military parade in the city in August, held to mark the 80th anniversary of the wartime Slovak National Uprising (SNP).

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The city has refuted the claims, and says the bridge should be demolished in time to reopen the R1 by Monday.

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The bridge was recently found to be in a state of serious disrepair, but the city of Banská Bystrica has denied claims that it was damaged by military equipment, stating that no such equipment used the bridge during the August parade or rehearsals for it.

"The city had issued a negative statement on the passage of heavy military vehicles over the bridge; claims that tanks crossed it are lies," officials said, adding that suggestions that the closure was an excuse to store NATO weapons at Sliač airbase are equally absurd.

Banská Bystrica Mayor Ján Nosko declared a state of emergency on Thursday, 19 September, following a structural report that indicated the bridge, connecting the suburb of Kremnička, was at risk of imminent collapse. It is set to be demolished over the weekend, during which the R1 route will remain closed.

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LIVE: The Kremnička bridge is being demolished

video //www.youtube.com/embed/WJ2S0kEd_cg

"The work will focus on protecting the [R1] road surface with a geotextile and creating a safety cushion before the bridge is demolished, aiming to reopen the R1 by Monday morning," Mayor Nosko said. A sudden crack was discovered in the bridge, built in 1979, prompting immediate action. "It indicates a possible collapse of the structure; the question is when," said structural engineer Milan Krajči.

Police are advising drivers to avoid the area until the R1's reopening is confirmed.

https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/ratuderoro

MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE

Journalism: The dismissal of former investigative journalist Zuzana Petková, who heads the Let's Stop Corruption Foundation, and the controversial appointment of Dominik Papala to the Platform for the Support of Press Freedom has sparked concerns over journalistic integrity and the platform's credibility, as Papala is associated with slavishly pro-government media and has faced criticism for promoting disinformation and targeting journalists.
Weekend: Don't miss out on this weekend's happenings! Check out Matúš Beňo's list of events and choose your favourite, from wine festivals to comic and anime salons, hikes, and games.
Good news: A Big Bang Theory star reveals her Czechoslovak heritage, a Slovak paraglides from the top of Kilimanjaro, and a new fungus species (sadly, inedible) is discovered on the territory of the Tatra National Park (TANAP). Here comes your weekly selection of feel-good news.
Business: A €1.2-billion battery factory in Šurany, Slovakia, faces local opposition over pollution and traffic concerns. Thousands have signed a petition urging Prime Minister Robert Fico to halt the project, despite investor assurances of compliance and economic benefits.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, consider buying our online subscription with no ads; a print copy of The Slovak Spectator will be sent to your home in Slovakia every month. Thank you!

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FEATURE STORY

A German who discovers hidden gems of Slovak nature
Jörn Kaufhold moved to Slovakia in 2007. (Source: Archive of J. Kaufhold)

He moved to Slovakia from Germany and has transformed his love for nature into a thrilling career in the heart of Slovakia's mountains. Jörn Kaufhold is an environmental education specialist who uncovers the secrets of Slovakia's captivating nature and shares them with the world.

EVENT FOR SUNDAY

Vlny will sweep you off your feet!
The official movie poster for Vlny (Waves). (Source: https://www.imdb.com/)

No plans for Sunday? Our top tip is to check out the English-subtitled version of the new Czech-Slovak film Vlny (Waves), an atmospheric historical drama set during the Prague Spring, which is showing at Kino Film Europe on Sunday at 16:30 (tickets €3.90). Fun fact: it was partly filmed in Bratislava, and is tipped for an Oscar nomination.

IN OTHER NEWS

Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that the European Commission will not allow a reduced VAT rate for rental housing, which has prompted the government to reconsider rules for the State Housing Development Fund, primarily used by municipalities for rental properties. He also stated that the state-supported rental housing programme initiated under the previous government, led by businessman and politician Boris Kollár, will not be approved in its current form. In September, Bratislava updated its rules for allocating municipal rental apartments to ensure a fairer and more transparent process, aiming to assist a broader group, including those with disabilities and essential city workers. The city currently has 1,923 rental apartments, with demand significantly outpacing supply, as around 600 applicants are waiting for available units.
Manchester United have signed Slovak teenager Samuel Lusale. Lusale, a 17-year-old Slovakia youth international who plays on the wing, will join United from Crystal Palace. The club has received the necessary clearances from the Premier League and the FA, and the Slovak player is being included in United's under-21 squad for the 2024-25 season. Lusale is eligible to represent Slovakia through his mother and Zambia through his father, and has played at under-18 level for Slovakia.

NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day showcases "A Hazy Harvest Moon," a photograph by Petr Horálek capturing the partial lunar eclipse on September 18 over Spiš Castle, which was visible across Slovakia from 04:00 until dawn, peaking at 04:44 with over 8 percent of the Moon's diameter caught in Earth's shadow. (Source: Petr Horálek/Institute of Physics in Opava)

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The recent amendment to the Penal Code has resulted in the release of over 400 individuals, according to statistics from the Prison and Judicial Guard Service, including eight on remand and 409 sentenced prisoners. The Justice Ministry has rejected media claims of higher release figures, stating that the changes decriminalised offences involving damages between €266 and €700. Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer) previously estimated that 158 individuals would be released due to the amendments, but the ministry clarified that this was only a provisional estimate, with final decisions resting with the courts. (SITA)
Allegations have emerged against the head of the Police Inspectorate Branislav Zurian, who is accused of preparing a witness for testimony through violence and intimidation, including hitting the witness and brandishing a weapon. This serious claim was made under oath, raising concerns about his suitability for his promotion to the rank of police general, as proposed by the Fico government. Politician Juraj Šeliga (Demokrati) is questioning how individuals involved in such conduct can be considered for promotion while calling for an urgent statement to address these allegations.
Slovakia faces legal action from the European Commission for failing to pay hospital invoices on time, with an average payment delay of 397 days, far exceeding the EU's 60-day requirement. The European Court of Justice confirmed that Slovak hospitals violate EU directives, and Slovakia now has a limited time to rectify the situation or risk penalties of €800,000 plus €50,000 per day until compliance is achieved.
The Danube River in central Bratislava began to recede on Thursday night after reaching a peak of 985 centimetres, which was about half a metre below the record level from 2013. By morning, the water level had dropped to 938 centimetres and continued to fall throughout the day. The Morava River also improved, dropping below eight metres after previously peaking at 839 centimetres. Local flooding affected several regions in western and northwestern Slovakia following heavy rainfall that also impacted the Czech Republic, Poland and Austria.

WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: It will be partly clear, with cloud in some areas. In the mornings, fog may occur, so if you plan to travel, take care on the roads. Daytime temperatures will range from 21°C to 26°C. Flood warnings remain in effect: level 3 in Bratislava, Senec, Dunajská Streda, Komárno and Nové Zámky, and level 2 in Malacky following persistent rainfall earlier in the week.

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NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday, September 21 - Matúš; Sunday, September 22 - Móric; Monday, September 23 - Zdenka.

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