Hello. Here is theThursday, April 25 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Future president’s false hope of becoming a star
Peter Pellegrini, the president-elect and leader of Hlas, found it a pleasant obligation to have his official portrait taken by a professional photographer on Tuesday. However, he also expressed a sense of strangeness, as reported by the Sme daily.
“Just realise for a second that, as the future president, you are being photographed for a portrait that will likely hang in schools, offices, and various official offices,” confessed Pellegrini.
The truth is that the portrait of the president has been rare in official institutions and schools for the past five years, as it is not mandatory. Also, it is an additional expense for some.
“The portraits had to be changed every five years. It was financially demanding,” said school principal Juraj Jonák from Zázrivá, northern Slovakia.
The portrait is not one of the official state symbols. These symbols are the national emblem, the flag, the seal, and the anthem.
Billboard: During the election campaign, Pellegrini had plenty of billboards placed around the country. People and experts laughed at him for one particular photo. It was edited so heavily that the final result looked awful.
Related: Why Slovakia’s next president, Peter Pellegrini, won’t be an original.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
- History: Hodruša has always been in the shadow of nearby Banská Štiavnica, but it has remained a charming place to visit.
- Bratislava: An historic Bratislava garden re-opens to public.
- Environment: Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba (SNS nom.) has come up with another solution to a bear problem, after he likened Slovak towns to Bogota.
- Automotive: Godfather of electronic music and innovator, Jean-Michel Jarre, became the world’s first passenger to take off in the AirCar.
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FEATURE STORY
A Slovak loses citizenship because of queer love
Lukáš, a Slovak gay man, has sued Slovakia after he lost Slovak citizenship. Why? He had married his British boyfriend and became British. Can he win the battle?
EVENT IN BRATISLAVA
Observing the planet Jupiter
Saturday will be about hiking and choirs, Friday about a starry night sky. Learn more about three free events selected and recommended by Kseniia Husieva.
IN OTHER NEWS
- “Nobody wants Slovakia to lose money. Neither the Commission, nor the Slovak government, nor the opposition. But we must have legal guarantees that the money will not be misused,” said European Commissioner Věra Jourová during her Thursday visit to Bratislava. Slovakia might have billions of euros from the recovery plan and EU funds suspended if the Fico government fails to convince Brussels that it can protect the financial interests of the EU after scrapping the Special Prosecutors Office, and that it can honour European values, particularly, the rule of law.
- MEP Miroslav Radačovský, a retired judge and a nationalist politician, released a dove during the session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. He did so on the occasion of his last speech, wishing peace for the world, Europe, Ukrainians and Russians. Radačovský and the dove were noticed by The Times, The Guardian Australia, Al Jazeera English, etc.
- The hockey players of HK Nitra became champions of Slovakia. On Wednesday night, they beat Spišská Nová Ves 2-1 after extra time and won the final 4-0.
- A camera footage in the parliament caught SNS MP Rudolf Huliak heiling at the meeting of the agricultural parliamentary committee on Thursday. He is believed to be making fun of PS lawmaker Michal Sabo, who recently had to explain a photo with his Nazi salute from ten years ago. (Denník N)
- On Thursday, the employees of the public-service broadcaster RTVS, who don’t agree with the abolition of RTVS and the establishment of a new state-controlled media (STVR), dressed in black as a protest. The government approved the new bill on RTVS during its Wednesday meeting on a farm and sent it to the parliament. Hundreds of RTVS workers are on at-will contracts, meaning they can be easily dismissed after the state starts to run STVR.
WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Expect little cloud cover with occasional showers throughout the day. Fog may be present in the morning, gradually dissipating as the day progresses. Temperatures will range from 10°C to 18°C. (SHMÚ)
APRIL 26 NAME'S DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Jaroslava.
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