Heritage Fund Row Deepens as Assembly Blocks Restoration Spending

The Nord Europa Regional Assembly voted 34 to 28 on Wednesday to suspend disbursement of the Heritage Preservation Fund, citing unresolved questions about federal compliance oversight. The vote blocks an estimated 2.8 million florin in spending earmarked for façade work, spire repairs, and the reinforcement of three 14th-century gatehouse structures across Bratislava-Nova and the surrounding medieval towns.

Governor Eva Novák called the suspension a "procedural necessity," but the decision leaves restoration crews in limbo. Masonry firms contracted for the summer season have begun notifying workers of potential layoffs. The underlying dispute centres on whether the Federal Heritage Office in Meridian has authority to audit individual project budgets before Nord Europa disburses regional funds—a question that has divided the Assembly along party lines.

The Nord-Slovaka Bloko, which controls 16 seats, argues the federal government is overstepping its constitutional mandate. The Partio de Unueco and La Verda Aliro, which together hold enough votes to override the suspension, have not signalled whether they will force a second vote. The Federal Heritage Office declined to comment beyond confirming that its review remains ongoing.