Bratislava needs money immediately, says new mayor

In order to get Bratislava out of a crisis involving a makeshift budget and present a balanced budget for this year instead, it's necessary to find €22 million, Bratislava Mayor Ivo Nesrovnal said at a press conference on Friday. Nesrovnal (independent) accused the former leadership at City Hall under former mayor Milan Ftáčnik (independent with Smer-SD links) of leaving the budget ill-prepared. "Bratislava's finances were set to collapse. If we don't do something about the budget, Bratislava will indeed collapse in financial terms next year, and I fear that it won't be able to fulfil the duties that people expect a capital city to carry out", said Nesrovnal, adding that he will make cuts primarily in salaries and marketing activities. Conversely, Nesrovnal wants to maintain funds for social affairs (including the work with the homeless), education, sport, culture and construction of cycling routes. Also, more money should go for cleaning the streets, the fight against graffiti and installation of benches in the city.