MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Monday, July 22, 2024 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Sunday, July 21): BRATISLAVA - Milan Rastislav Stefanik was one of the most important figures of the Slovak history, President Peter Pellegrini has posted on a social network on the occasion of the 144th anniversary of Stefanik's birth. Pellegrini pointed out Stefanik's contribution to the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic. "With his political talent, diplomatic strategy and ability to respond to the changed power situation following the WWI, he made use of the conditions for establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic. With his efforts, he created the basis for the national-emancipation process, which resulted in the creation of the independent Slovak Republic," wrote the head of the state. Milan Rastislav Stefanik was born on July 21, 1880 in Kosariska (Trencin region) and died in a plane crash in Ivanka pri Dunaji near Bratislava in 1919. He was an astronomer, military pilot, French military general and one of the first Slovaks to climb Mont Blanc several times. Most notably, he was instrumental in setting up Czechoslovakia in 1918 along with the country's first president Tomas Garrigue Masaryk and second president Edvard Benes. BRATISLAVA - The coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) has denied claims about the alleged scrapping of flat-rate expenditures and lifting of the tax burden of self-employed. The party declared that it wouldn't allow small and medium entrepreneurs to have their taxes raised or flat-rate expenditures scrapped. It criticised the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party for statements on the issue it made earlier this week. "SNS raised flat-rate expenses to the level of 60 percent [while in government] in 2016-2020. At the same time, it managed to assert a 15-percent tax for all companies with a turnover of up to €100,000. Unfortunately, SaS raised the income tax for self-employed, as well as corporate entities with a turnover of up to €100,000 to almost 20 percent in 2021 again. Therefore, SNS has called on SaS to first of all think of its political actions when it raised taxes for self-employed and small companies," stated SNS. SaS representatives earlier this week pointed to several potential changes related to self-employed. They also drew attention to the alleged intention to scrap flat-rate expenditures, calling it inacceptable. The Finance Ministry has denied these claims. VRUTKY - The fifth annual memorial called 'In the Footsteps of Hidden Children' began with a cultural programme in the town of Vrutky (Zilina region) on Sunday late afternoon. The event was organised by NGO Post Bellum in order to commemorate victims and survivors of the Holocaust, TASR has learnt from Post Bellum SK director Sandra Polovkova. More than 50 registered participants from all over Slovakia will follow in the footsteps of Eli and Esti – Jewish children who had to hide from fascist persecution during the WWII because of their origin. The week-long 110-kilometre march will also include a commemorative event in Kremnicka (Banska Bystrica region) and end with a cultural event in Brezno on Saturday (July 27). "The memorial is a commemorative and educational event that combines the experience of a long journey in a group and getting to know the places associated with the Holocaust and the Slovak National Uprising (SNP). We will walk through the places that are connected with the life of Eli Vago, his sister Esti, their other relatives and friends. We will stop at the places where they lived, hid, or are connected with the fight against fascism and racial discrimination," said Polovkova. "We commemorate the 80th anniversary of SNP this year. The list of the memorial participants includes people whose ancestors were in the anti-fascist resistance, Holocaust survivors, educators, journalists and people interested in our history," added Polovkova. mf