News digest: George Soros living rent free in Slovaks' minds

Bratislava might loose its "Hiroshima", Vietnamese community will share its culture, proposal for MPs to officiate weddings.

By: sme.sk

Aug 19 2024
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News digest: George Soros livi

Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, August 14 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Slovaks and Soros conspiracies

Billboards depicting (from left) independent candidate Ján Lunter, then president Andrej Kiska and George Soros against the colours of the American flag appeared in central Slovakia after regional elections in 2017 in which Lunter defeated far-right candidate Marian Kotleba. The caption reads "Now we got you! Ha, ha, ha..." (Source: Archive of SME)

Prime Minister Robert Fico has been repeating the conspiracy story about the influence of George Soros since 2018, after the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová.

When tens of thousands of people took to the streets to protest against his government at the time, Fico, still as prime minister, hinted at the connection between Soros and then-Slovak president Andrej Kiska in front of journalists. He had also indicated that the activities of the Za slušné Slovensko (For a Decent Slovakia) civil initiative, which organised anti-government protests, were instructed or financed by the philanthropist.

At that time, when Fico's government was falling and so was Smer's popularity, it seemed that the Soros conspiracy theory would receive no response in Slovakia. But a recent survey shows that these unsubstantiated claims have been resonating with the Slovak population.

Almost half of the people in Slovakia believe that the 94-year-old Hungarian-born American financier George Soros is trying to control the Slovak government and pushing his agenda through it, shows the survey carried out by the Focus polling agency and the Globsec think-tank for the Eastern Border Initiative (TEFI) international project in early 2024.

What horses and HR have in common

The work of Klára Sekáč Kavická has been affected by her love of horses. (Source: Archive of Klára Sekáč Kavická)

Since she was a little girl, Klára Sekáč Kavická has been around horses.

And as soon as she started working in human resources, she longed to connect these two worlds: bringing horses into the education process, the development of people, and coaching. Her dream came true in April 2023.

EVENT FOR SUNDAY

Vietnam Day

People during an earlier edition of the Vietnam Day in Bratislava. (Source: TASR)

Although the history of the Vietnamese community in Slovakia dates back to 1950s, it was only recently that it was officially recognised as the 14th national minority. In the last few years, the community has held Vietnam Day, a special event dedicated to its culture, history, cuisine, or simply share with the majority what makes them who they are.

This year is no exception. Learn about the tea ceremony, find out how to travel the country, watch their dances, hear out their stories. The event will take place on Sunday in Bratislava, find out more here.

IN OTHER NEWS

The coalition party SNS wants to propose an amendment to the Family Act that would allow MPs to become wedding officiants. SNS chair Andrej Danko is convinced that this amendment will bring a new dimension to civil marriages. "The goal is to strengthen the role of MPs in the society and enable them to be present at the most important moments in the lives of our citizens. We believe that this amendment will be positively received and contribute to deepening trust and improving the relationship between MPs and the public," says Danko. (TASR)
Bratislava has opened a new park-and-ride with a capacity of 107 vehicles under the Prístavný Most bridge. The parking space is located in the wider centre of the city with a connection to the R7 dual carriageway, the Bratislava bypass, as well as the cycle path to the city centre. There are several bike and scooter rental platforms next to the park-and-ride. During weekdays, parking will be available between 05:00 to 24:00, and all day trough the weekends. (Bratislava.sk)
In the latter half of August, some 3,000 soldiers will be accommodated in secondary-school and university dormitories in Banská Bystrica and Zvolen, both central Slovakia, for a military parade that will take place in the former in late August to mark the 80th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP). (TASR)
Slovakia's GDP in fixed prices grew by 1.9 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2024, reports the Statistics Office in a preliminary estimate of GDP and employment. (TASR)
The Office for the Protection of State Officials has stepped up security measures in the light of an increase in public protests. Increased personal protection has been provided to certain individuals, the Interior Ministry specified neither whom the measures concern nor their form. (TASR)

People coping with high temperatures (13 photos)

WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Partly cloudy to cloudy, in mountain areas occasionally showers and rain expected. Daily temperatures will rise up to 37 °C, or up to 30 °C in northern parts of the country, with level 2 temperature warnings issued for districts in western, southern and eastern Slovakia, while level 1 in some northern and eastern districts. See map here. (SHMÚ)

AUGUST 15 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Marcela

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