My name is Veronika Basta. I come from Banská Štiavnica, but my family and I have put down roots in sunny Rovinka – a village on Žitný ostrov, a unique region with strategically important groundwater resources used for drinking water.

I have long been dedicated to environmental protection, water and air quality, public health, and open communication between local government and residents. I am a member of the Rovinka Municipal Council and Chair of its Environmental Protection Committee.

Who I Am

The environment is not just a policy issue. It is the place we call home.

I am a proud mother, wife and daughter. I carry forward the legacy of my father, Ing. Milana Kapusta, CSc., a respected ecologist, environmentalist and forestry expert, and the values my parents instilled in me – respect for people and nature, and the belief that we can no longer take our natural resources for granted

My greatest motivation is to make a positive difference to the environment in which our children will grow up and live. For me, environmental protection is not simply an appealing political issue, but an essential foundation for a healthy, good-quality life.

I continuously invest in my professional and personal development. I bring together experience from local government, national government and international organisations, turning new knowledge into practical work for Rovinka and our wider region. I have devoted thousands of hours to volunteering, preparing technical reports and comments on development proposals undergoing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), administrative work, communicating with authorities and experts, public discussions and hands-on fieldwork.

• I have served on the Rovinka Municipal Council for eight years.

• I have chaired the Environmental Protection Committee for eight years.

• I have spent eight years working to protect air quality, groundwater and the environment.

• Since 2021, I have worked at the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic as an Expert Project Manager for the LIFE IP – Improving Air Quality project.

• I initiated public discussions on air and water quality, as well as long-term air quality monitoring in Rovinka.

• I actively contribute to the implementation of the Environmental Groundwater Screening for the Municipality of Rovinka project, which has since expanded to the neighboring municipality of Most pri Bratislave.

• I am one of the initiators of a petition opposing the unnecessary CEZO waste incineration facility at the Slovnaft site, which has received the support of 18,722 people.

• I have participated in dozens of media interviews, expert articles, presentations and public discussions.

• I have been involved in international election observation for almost 30 years, taking part in missions organised by the OSCE, NDI, ENEMO and EU Election Observation Missions (EU EOM).

My work has received recognition both in Slovakia and internationally. The groundwater screening project received the ATLAS 2026 Award and was a finalist in the European Innovation in Politics Awards 2025. In 2021, thanks to my efforts, the Municipality of Rovinka was also a finalist in the ATLAS Environmental Awards, in the Climate Change and Air Protection category. I was also featured on the Map of Social Innovators, an initiative of the Pontis Foundation and Ashoka. The Water over Gold – Protection of Žitný ostrov initiative was included in the UN Water Action Agenda.

I do not view awards as a goal, but as confirmation that even a project originating in a single municipality can serve as an example of best practice for other local governments or abroad.

Among the achievements I have contributed to is the long-term scientific monitoring of air quality in a residential area of Rovinka, carried out since 2019 in cooperation with the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute. Thanks to the monitoring station on Dunajská Street, we have access to up-to-date air quality data.

As Chair of the Environmental Protection Committee, I supported the development of the groundwater screening project from the outset. The project brings together local government, specialists and relevant national authorities. It helps identify potential chemical risks in untreated water from private household wells and provides residents with up-to-date information about water quality and the safe use of their own wells.

I am also one of the main initiators of the petition NO to the Hazardous Waste Incinerator at Slovnaft – Protect Our Health and Environment! I actively participate in the EIA process, regularly analyse submitted documentation and draw attention to missing data, inconsistencies and inadequately assessed impacts on public health, air quality, groundwater and transport.

Why I Am Standing for Election

Because protecting the environment is essential to a good quality of life.

The challenges facing our region do not stop at municipal boundaries. Protecting water and air quality, tackling drought, rapid development, increasing traffic and major investment projects affect the entire region and require cooperation between municipalities and the Bratislava Self-Governing Region.

I did not enter public life to hold political office. I am driven by a sense of responsibility towards my family, neighbours, the people of our region and future generations. My experience in local government has shown me that change is possible when we are willing to listen, work with expert evidence and persistently seek solutions.

I want to bring the experience I have gained in Rovinka to the Bratislava regional level. I want our region to actively connect municipalities, expert institutions and the public, make decisions based on reliable data and prevent problems before it is too late.

Protecting Žitný ostrov

We live in an area with exceptionally valuable groundwater reserves. Protecting them must be one of the Bratislava Region's priorities.

I want to promote:

• Protection of groundwater and areas essential for its natural replenishment.

• Regular groundwater quality monitoring and clear, accessible publication of results.

• Stronger cooperation between regional authorities, municipalities and expert institutions on water protection.

• A coordinated approach to managing drought and the impacts of climate change.

• Rainwater retention measures at regionally managed schools, facilities and other buildings.

• Support for rain gardens, permeable surfaces and other measures that help retain water in the landscape.

• Protection of soil, trees, windbreaks and natural areas.

• Thorough assessment of how new developments and major investment projects affect water resources and the landscape.

Development That Puts People First

Our region is developing rapidly. However, new construction and investment must respect people's quality of life, public health, the environment and the capacity of our transport infrastructure.

I want to promote:

• Expanded air quality monitoring and transparent publication of data.

• Thorough assessments of the impacts of major investment projects on public health, water, air quality and transport.

• Assessment of the cumulative impact of industry, transport and construction on an area, rather than evaluating each project in isolation.

• Special protection for children, older people and other vulnerable groups.

• Better coordination of development, transport and nature conservation.

• More accessible regional public transport.

• Protection of trees, green spaces and high-quality public spaces.

• Evidence-based decision-making supported by expert analysis and reliable data.

• Timely, clear communication with residents and their involvement in decision-making.

A Region Prepared for Emergencies

Extreme weather, floods, droughts, severe storms and other emergencies show that responding to the consequences is not enough. Our region must be prepared before a crisis occurs.

I want to promote:

• A stronger focus on prevention and the precautionary principle.

• Establishment of a Central Emergency Fund for the Bratislava Self-Governing Region to provide rapid assistance after natural disasters and finance preventive measures.

• Better preparedness of regional and municipal authorities for extreme weather events and other emergencies.

• Stronger cooperation between municipalities in our electoral district on environmental protection.

• Sharing expertise and coordinating responses to challenges that extend beyond municipal boundaries.

• Support for preventive measures rather than repeatedly repairing damage.

• Better public information about risks and ways to stay safe.

• Support for environmental education in schools administered by the region.

I envision a Bratislava Region that plans ahead. A region that does not simply react to problems once they arise, but acts as a proactive partner to its municipalities.

A region that brings together local governments, expert institutions and residents, protects its natural heritage and helps address challenges that individual municipalities cannot tackle alone.

I want a region that puts people, their health and the environment in which future generations will live at the heart of its development.

How I Work

I am used to working with facts, expert analysis and data. I ask questions, verify information and look for solutions that make sense in the long term.

My experience in public service has taught me that change does not come from grand declarations, but from everyday work – preparation, communication, scrutiny, cooperation and perseverance.

This is how I intend to work as a member of the Bratislava Regional Assembly.

Why are you standing for election?

Because the challenges facing our region do not stop at the boundaries of a single municipality. I want to bring my experience in protecting water, air quality and the environment to the Bratislava regional level and help municipalities address challenges they cannot solve on their own.

What will be your main priorities?

Three key areas: protecting Žitný ostrov, promoting regional development that puts people first, and improving our region's preparedness for emergencies. In each of these areas, I want to promote decisions based on expert evidence, reliable data and transparent communication with the public.

How can residents get involved?

I welcome every suggestion, question and conversation. Public service only makes sense when it remains connected to the people it is meant to serve. I want residents to receive information in good time and have the opportunity to get involved before important decisions are made.