Slovakia's 2020 Elections: Political Puzzling with Power and Populism

Slovakia is facing a decisive moment. At the end of February, the country will hold its first general elections since mass anti-corruption protests shook its political establishment and toppled veteran populist prime minister Robert Fico. While Slovakia is seen as a leader in the fight for democracy in Central Europe, political programs and ideas have been side-lined by a pre-election campaign that has turned into a clash of emotions and populist moves

Eastern Challenges for Josep Borrell - and the EU

As the European Union's next designated HR/VP, Josep Borrell will have to deal with major global challenges and the EU's internal travails to shape foreign policy more assertively. In particular, two flash points on the EU’s doorstep - the eastern Ukraine and Serbia-Kosovo - will be early tests of Borell's ability to enhance the Union’s ability to project influence as a global power and help build its capacity for strategic autonomy

Tax interventions in the housing market

This article surveys possibilities of determining the value of building land as base for property taxes, done by municipalities. It is shown that reform is needed. Application of ad valorem taxation could be fairer. In such taxation owners of more valuable building land should pay proportionally larger taxes. Ad valorem taxation will offer a stable source of revenue with a potentially broad and expanding tax base for governments. It will provide the benefit of a more equitable distribution on taxes, as well as greater fiscal transparency and accountability. Administratively easy determination of real estate value is essential. Price maps of building land, administrated by municipalities, could be a solution.Tento príspevok sa zaoberá možnosťami stanovovania hodnôt pozemkov pre potreby určovania základu dane prostredníctvom miestnych samospráv. Reforma v tejto oblasti je potrebná. Zavedenie hodnotového princípu zdaňovania by bolo spravodlivejšie. Pri takejto forme zdaňovania by vlastníci hodnotnejších pozemkov platili dane priamoúmerné k ich hodnote. Hodnotové zdanenie by ponúklo stabilný zdroj príjmov s potenciálnym nárastom pre miestne samosprávy. Taktiež by to umožnilo intervenčné rozdelenie daní podporujúcich rozvoj, ako aj väčšiu fiškálnu transparentnosť a zodpovednosť. Základom je nájsť administratívne jednoduchý spôsob zdaňovania stavebných pozemkov. V budúcnosti by mohli cenovú mapu stavebných pozemkov viesť a aktualizovať miestne samosprávy

Four Scenarios for the Crisis in Belarus

As protests continue to galvanize Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko is consolidating his grip on power. Volatile domestic dynamics - and Russia’s reactions to them - will shape the discredited regime’s future. This paper outlines four possible scenarios for Belarus up to one year from now. They include options for Russia and the EU, whose strategic objectives differ, but whose short-term interests align: preventing bloodshed, avoiding open geopolitical conflict, and preparing for a post-Lukashenko transition

The Rule of Law in the EU Budget: Backing Down is Too High a Price for the EU to Pay

Hungary and Poland are threatening to veto the EU's new budgetary arrangements if other governments apply the rule of law mechanism to them. It is becoming clear, however, that the new EU financial framework, and the much-heralded recovery fund, are more vital to Eastern Europe than to Europe's South and that time is not on the side of the former. Awareness of this fact allows for a cool assessment of the pair's bargaining positions - and of the precedent that any hasty resolution to the crisis will set

Neustart für das transatlantische Verhältnis: US Wahl 2020

Mit dem Einzug von Joe Biden ins Weiße Haus sind in Deutschland viele Hoffnungen auf eine Verbesserung des transatlantischen Verhältnisses verbunden. Vor allem in der Außenpolitik sind die Erwartungen berechtigt, denn Biden will verloren gegangenes Vertrauen zurückgewinnen und die Zusammenarbeit mit Europa vertiefen. Biden steht auch für die Hoffnung auf Rückkehr zum Multilateralismus und einer regelbasierten internationalen Ordnung. Doch in der Handels- und Klimaschutzpolitik werden sich wohl zunächst nur der Ton, aber nicht die Fakten ändern. Zudem wird ein voraussichtlich republikanisch dominierter Kongress viele von Bidens Vorhaben vereiteln. Hier analysieren unsere DGAP Expertinnen und Experten die Erwartungen, Chancen und Hindernisse in den wichtigsten Politikfeldern

Determining general value of flats using comparative method based on list prices

Pursuant to Decree No. 492/2004 Coll. of the Ministry of Justice, a valuer may determine the general value of a flat by the known methods: comparative, combined or cost based ones. Selection of appropriate method is left to the valuer without any eligibility criterion specified in the Decree. Provisions of the Decree reflect the conditions prevailing ten years ago. Due to accession to EU and Euro Area, globalization of economics as well as global financing crisis have become more visible in real property market of Slovakia. Described draft procedure for determination of general value of flats using the comparative method based on list prices flats advertised for sale enables one to estimate the most probable sale price of the flat in question

Dissemination of civil engineering expertise into individual specialization

This contribution deals with the proposal of restructuring the field of civil engineering expertise into 7 specializations. It describes current standards, which divide the field of civil engineering expertise into 13 specializations. The current specialist distribution in force at the Ministry of Justice is not compatible with other sectors, which includes the fields of study at Slovak academic institutions and categorization administered by the Slovak chamber of chartered civil engineers. After being subjected to a critical review by industry and other experts the proposal is intended to be submitted to the Ministry of Justice to be incorporated into upcoming new legislation