Slovakia

But later, as a photographer and reporter, he realised his work could do some good. He started getting involved in fundraising campaigns for charities tackling poverty, cancer, education and climate change.

The commemorations bring mixed emotions. For some, they are a celebration of freedom and democracy. Others feel nostalgia for more certain times. And as the nation looks back, parties are looking forward to a general election early next year.

Celebrating freedom

At least 13 people have died in a major bus crash in Slovakia, AFP reported.
According to initial reports, the bus collided with a truck in the area of Nitra, about 100 km east of the Slovak capital Bratislava, the Washington Post reports.

At least 20 others were injured.

Expect details.

Large numbers of Hungarians live beyond the country's borders in neighbouring states, a result of the political carve-up of empires after World War I. 

But national minorities are less common inside Hungary; the Slovak community is a relatively new phenomenon. Its emergence has little to do with politics, but everything to do with economics.

Fifty-six year-old Kocner has long been notorious, but never ranked among the most prominent or wealthy of the Slovak oligarchs who have pulled political strings and amassed fortunes since Czechoslovakia emerged from the shadow of the collapsing Soviet Union and, in 1993, split peacefully in two.

Weekend protesters

Slovaks have a reputation for political apathy, mostly due to traditionally low voter turnout, but they have been anything but apathetic as they turned out in large numbers for a series of protests.

"It's evident that environmental issues resonate with society and political parties are forced to address them," said Radek Kubala, a campaign coordinator for Greenpeace Slovakia.

To see the pace of change, consider two recent events.

"As soon as I took the position, this issue, especially the question of the rainbow flag, came up," said Patakyova, who defied political pressure and kept the flag flying. She also became a prominent supporter of Bratislava's annual Pride march.

Slovakia is one of only six EU countries that do not allow legal partnerships or adoption of children by same-sex couples.

According to Colliers International latest "FDI into CEE infographic" high numbers of Global Fortune 500 companies in the CEE-6 are being largely driven from Automotive, Industrials, Food, Beverages & Tobacco, Telecom & Media and Transportation sectors.

For many Slovaks, the texts are a reminder of the sheer depth of corruption in a country still reeling from the shooting of 27-year-old Kuciak and his fiancée in Bratislava in February 2018.

They see the texts as proof that Kocner, who was already in custody when he was charged with ordering Kuciak's murder, thought he was above the law, though he denies any wrongdoing.