When even the Police...

Today came as a terrible shock to me. The Parliament's order of the day scheduled a debate for recalling the Interior Minister's. When following, not only this year's scandals - and we have had only one month behind us - also previous scandals over the past few years would be dealt with - the opposition would demand Mr Kaliňák's demise. 

The fact, that Prime Minister Fico would safe his Interior Minsiter's neck was to be expected from the onset - they're party buddies; brothers-in-arms so to speak. What was so shocking, was the fact that a police union leader had organised a police demonstration to express their support for their Minister.

With all respect - as of when is it allowed, that police officers openly go demonstrating to show their political preference (leaving aside, that the involved Minister is more than dubious)?  This falls under sheer political agitation. The organiser appeared in one of the television news. It was a certain Mr Miroslav Litva. 

Thanks to Google, I went to look into Mr Litva's background a bit, and it showed that he was earlier demoted for instigating similar political demonstrations against a Minister - who was righfully cleansing the whole corrupt police apparatus - an inheritance from the communist times and heavy Mečiarism - in order to make it more professional, open and democratic. Aha, a bit of a troublemaker we've got here then.

Then I searched for 'ethics' and 'police'. To my greatest surprise, there is a European club of Police organisations called the European Confederation of Police (EuroCOP) in Luxemburg. Interesting statements on Ethics within the police. But suddenly my eye fell on the organisation.... one of the Executive Committee Members was... Mr Miroslav Litva. The same? Yes indeed - at least: how big a chance would it be when the picture and job-description matches, and still dealing with two different people. None.

In a democratic state, the police should be absolutely impartial and a-political. Calling policemen to join a demonstration is fine (they have rights too) only in case it would pertain to their working conditions, salaries, safety, staffing, etc, be it on an exceptional basis. But expressing a political preference is a border which is never to be crossed! It is the gravest transgression of their unique position within society.

The impertinence is therefore so striking, that a high ranking committee member of a European police organisation, which promotes ethics, is not only breaking one of the basic pillars of a democratic society - one anonymous mail from a policeman implied even pressure to participate "or else"...

I have immediately politely asked the President of EuroCOP, Mr Heinz Kiefer, for an explanation. I am looking forward to be clarified accordingly about the circumstances in a fairly satisfactory way.

One little point is still gnawing at the back of my mind, and I am surprised, why the reporter didn't ask Mr Litva this: Who actually paid for the transportation throughout Slovakia for the protesting constables. I certainly hope, it was not from our taxes. Why it bothers me? Well,  I can think of another situation, where the police was used for political purposes as well. We are thinking of Germany in the 1930s ... Need I say more?

MS

Lack of the right political stuff

Since Saturday, many things have happened. A fairly successful demonstrations - let's say an initial dent into the overall passivity of the broad masses. A slight hiccup of a young writer, who initiated an uncalled for criticism, unleashing quite an emotional debate among the opposition, later to renounce his accusations.

What becomes more and more apparent is, how Slovakia has a crippling division in its political movements. One of the reasons is, that the country strongly lacks a lack of the right political stuff. Or perhaps; an effective political instinct.

My own personal connections, whether it is with NGOs, political figures, analysis of political trends or otherwise, gives me some insight, which is far from understandable. Currently struggling with a government, which in most western countries would not pass any acceptance test, one earnestly wonders, how effectively the current ministers hold public into a grip by means of merely populist rhetorics. Leaving aside personal differences of opinion of individual analysts of the recent developments, there is a certain consensus regarding what the disease is, but not the cure; how to effectively halt the rather dengerous trends, ultimately, how to mobilise oppostition.

Some steps could be very obvious - yet none of them makes them, forces them to be made and the like. There is a continuous state of indecisiveness or maybe a slight lack of courage. In my humble opinion, there were two perfect moments in the past month, which could have perfectly worked for the opposition. Yet, they slipped away. When asking for some stake-holders' views, they were a bit disappointing. Wondering, whether they had a real interest after all.

Politics certainly is not very easy. One needs definitively strong nerves, a good fighter's instinct. Simply good political 'stuff'. But that, is what is somewhat lacking. Therefore, the crowds will hardly be mobilised in sufficient numbers. One can only hope for a supernatural miracle.

MS

Slovak matters: Writer Michal Hvorecký's Slovak conscience (an open letter)

Dear Michal,

Given the political situation in which your country is in, and as we have witnessed in the past few months it became more and more apparent, what would be most needed is a unifying force against the continuous corruption and arrogance of the government. Through skilled manipulation, Slovakia is in a position, where the basic legal rights of citizens is heavily undermined, which cunningly empowers the present leaders to do their foul business without any hindrance.

Last Saturday, at last, a rally has been organised in order to show discontent. To show discontent that it is more than enough, enough stealing, enough nepostism, enough undermining of the judicial system, enough cover ups. While until now, an alarming passivity has been significant to the Slovak public, at least that Saturday the first hundreds came together at the SNP-Square.

The next day, you have suddenly published a blog on your own web-site, where you - in a 'warning-fashion' - produced some 'facts' to explain, why you did not attend the earlier mentioned demonstration. Your main objectives were based on the fact that the organiser Alojz Hlina, who, according to you seems to have a somewhat dubious past. Initially, your blog surprised me a great deal and - admittedly - made me feel a bit uneasy.

When taking your background into consideration, where you portrait yourself as a Slovak writer, an intellectual, publishing even abroad, I ask myself: As you actively wrote an article regarding Iveta Radicova running for president, how come, until now you have been so quiet? Perhaps I belong to an old fashioned generation, where writers, journalists - especially the real intellectual ones - were supposed to stand up and hold a mirror to reflect the nation's true face. Remember e.g. Emile Zola's "J'accuse"?

For weeks if not months, the political events have been in great turmoil. Your intellectual contributions, at least let's say to warn your Slovak nation against extremist-trends, were zero to none. As said, the first movement of a nation started to happen, and you write the day after a critic which, from an intellectual point of view is uncalled-for. Should Slovakia - and here I follow the rationale from your blog - since you don't like Mr Hlina, therefore stay at home and meekly accept the current government? Even though, as you wrote, you also do not approve of them? Isn't that too simplistic - one calls it a "lame excuse", and it would have been least expected from an "intellectual".

In addition, it seems - as a couple of hours have passed since and meanwhile Mr Hlina has rebutted your innuendo - that you have been using some vague accusations, which were in some cases totally out of context, some purely untrue, and one perhaps partly applicable, yet explainable. This - to say the least - is definitively a

no go for a respected writer. The greatest mistake, however, was your reply to Mr Hlina's respons, for it has even more exposed the mere fact, that your argumentation is in all honesty too superficial. Especially you should have been more aware than anyone else, that for such a debate you must be better prepared and equipped. The fact that you "remember" one thing from the past, is not justifying you to depict them in a wrong way; You should have delivered hard facts - not vague and coloured reminiscence.

Let me not give you my opinion on the visible contribution of your semester in Iowa nor your activities abroad in Germany. I find it deeply saddening, that someone like you, instead of actively contributing and unifying, with others - at least with those whom you do trust - has unleashed such a murky discussion as this one, which perhaps will to an extend damage the brittle unity within the opposition. For many people seem now to be completely blinded by only vague hear-say pseudo-facts. And right now the only chance for Slovakia is to get the people finally into the streets.

I have sent you a civil message earlier, to elaborate on some details, which you have preferred to leave unanswered. That explains a lot.

yours sincerely,

Michael Srba

Mr Fico, Prime Minister and Lawyer... ?

Political campaigns before elections are always filled with certain tensions. Obviously, for some political parties, it will be decisive whether they remain in power in a next coalition cabinet, for others it's a struggle to make it at least into parliament, by getting over the minimum threshold. Given the fact, whether you are in power, whether you are in the opposition, whether you have economic haydays or whether you are in the midst of a recession, strategically planning a campaign, determining the party's agenda is not a child's game. One deals with party principles, electorate preferences to mention just a few.

Slovakia's ruling SMER-SD, the social-democratic party under the leadership of Mr Fico, has turned into a party, which (in all seriousness) behaves like the Polit-Bureau before the 1989 revolution. Being social-democrat, would implicate, you are still democratic, yet any possible free discussion is curbed as much as possible. As for me, nobody at this moment, can convince me in any possible way, that SMER is indeed a true social-democratic party. Far from a German SPD, British Labour, Dutch PvdA or SP, and the like. 

The upcoming elections, will be - prom a politological point of view - very interesting, to see how a crypto-communist club will be trying to remain in the saddle (although becoming a bit wobbly lately); without the gift of being able to face political debating - or even allowing them - and painfully embarrassing scandals.

Yet, last Friday, our Dear Comrade Mr Fico demonstrated a daring piece: Calling a press briefing where he publicly announced having found "new evidence" where the opposition SDKU party, apparently was involved in money laundering practices. Not "allegedly", no: just a clear and proven case. Further he added, that the opposition should watch its steps, as he [Mr Fico] could use this agains them [SDKU].

There is, however, one quite odd point: Since Mr Fico is originally a lawyer - specialised in criminal law (let's leave for a while aside, that he never won any case - but according to him, it's enough reason to label himself as being a "successful lawyer") he must for sure know that money laundering is a serious thing, and certainly must be reported immediately to the state attorney. The cardinal question is: why doesn't he do so, since not reporting a known crime makes you an accomplice? Hardly something to explain that to a lawyer... or is it something else?

In civilised countries, political campaigns are about discussions and political issues, party programmes, etc. Threatening the opposition is making a politician far from credible. Mr Fico, this case makes you, as a lawyer unconvincing. For if it were true, you would (should!) have acted much faster and the state attorney would be fully in charge now. So why don't you? As a politician it disqualifies you completely, to use such murky tactics of mud slinging. Not even a slight sense of political intuition tells you, that this is a no-go?

MS

A brittle democracy; danger of extremism

As I have elaborated on the absence of a unifying force, to effectively channel public's discontent in my previous blog-article, I would like to continue a bit to demonstrate a few indicators. In November 1989, the Eastern Bloc suddenly and unexpectedly opened its doors to the West. The opressed society was suddenly free to go and freely to express their opinion, without any repercussions from above any longer. But, a dog which has been maltreated and locked up all his life, and you let him loose, does not quite understand how to behave and will hardly be a suitable domestic companion.

The free Central Europe became suddenly a true Eldorado for anybody wanting quick money and in one of the streets in Prague where you saw bookstores, supermarket, 2 shoestores, a baker, a butcher and a pharmacy, the free privatised market replaced them in no time them 4 casinos, 3 money exchange booths, erotic shops, etc. Most of the new businesses were a bit murky, one could say. Fortunately, over the years it has stabilised a bit and the same street looks more civilised now. Yet, it was an interesting trend for sociologists, urban developers or anyone interested in political sciences.

Another visible aspect is the political scene; where one must keep in mind, that the old view was, that politicians where the one in power, and they decided for the people - a concept which is hardly different from the feudal times. A ruler simply has the divine role to rule, and the masses are not to question this. The new (democratic) role of politics is a bit different; the politicians are chosen by the people in order to represent them in the policy making process. As a voter you give your voice to a person, who has a limited mandate. The reverse side is, that if the representative fails his mandate or abuses his power, the voter has all the right to recall him - arguably even the moral obligation to do so.

Society has had 20 years of balancing on the cord, and it is not an easy process. Contrary to the Czech Republic, Slovakia is visibly still struggling. Reasons, why the struggle is somewhat tragic is, that the current government by Mr Fico, who took over in 2006, has clearly shown abuse of power. Despite the previous 8 years of Mr Dzurinda's cabinet, where there were some scandals too, corruption was decreasing; currently according to Transparency International, it has soared to surpass even all the corruptions before.

The judicial system, far from independent and tightly controlled by political figures, is one of the greatest concerns, which is hardly realised. Courts are not just abstract places where criminals are tried, they are equally the control mechanisms such that the state is not exceeding its powers - to safeguard the rights of citizens. Not only we ended up in a situation, that a citizen appealing to a court to amend injustice finds himself perhaps being double crossed as some judges act on directives from other source, even critical judges, who have warned for these practices, are being blackmailed and intimidated.

Concurrently, what is a second result of this: freedom of press is alarmingly at stake; not so much that there is formal censorship, but demanding huge compensations in courts for publishing mere facts are becoming standard practice. The burden is economically damaging the newspapers, make some editors think twice before publishing an article. This week, another failed project was criticised by Brussels and is not to receive any EU funding. A public TV reporter, who earlier made a documentary (initially it was not even aired for suspicious reasons), was sacked one day after the news broke out about the EU criticism.

If public confines itself in this milieu, where ruling politicians are not interested in them, keeping scandals covered, not solving real problems, where the opposition is too divided, the common languages is lost. Usual debates are missing or too technical. Such a society reverts to very down to earth expression of emotions, which one would rather find in pubs after several pints of beer.

When monitoring discussions on the internet - a great medium to gather information on this - it can be concluded, that articles with let's say a vulgar tendency tend to be more popular, as they appeal more to the anger and fear of people. The danger lurks, that massive groups will find their consolation in the extremist corners of society. A danger, which is not just theoretical - it can be spotted. Everybody wants change and the society needs change. But only a few realise, what lies behind some seemingly palatable rhetorics, and what the tragic long-term repercussions will be, when unleashing such sentiments.

Slovakia's democracy is very brittle as it has shown in the last months. The next few will be decisive. Keeping in mind, being in the EU is definitively not a guarantee to expect good governance. Much hard work ahead.

MS

Fico's reforms

It rarely happens, that a Friday's-night political news item causes me to feel amused. Well, being first slightly confused of what I was hearing:

Slovakia's Prime Minster Fico's giving in to the truck drivers demands - although he denies giving in to pressure; while on Sunday he was adamant on anything, on Monday morning he not only gave in, he even informed the public that it was his cabinet's months long preparation to implement such. Not very credible, but that's his problem.

The big scheme which Robert Fico put together was to lower taxes on diesel, in order to lessen the burden of the electronic toll system (as I will probably dedicate another article on this one in the near future as well). To compensate the loss of state revenues resulting from this, Mr Fico will decrease the number of ministries. To be exact, two ministries will be absorbed by others. By making drastic cuts in the number of departments may seem a reasonable measure to save on bureaucracy, yet there is a peculiar rationale behind it.

By shuffling an entire department under the roof of another one (mind you; in theory!), is not necessarily a cost saving exercise. The competencies still need to be performed, which means that you hardly kick out the entire civil servant force on the street. At the most, only the logo on their letterhead will change.

The second - and in my view, the most striking improbability: Mr Fico indicated, that the changes will take effect after June, that is after the election.

As far as I can remember, I have never witnessed, that a sitting leader has ever dictated a future cabinet, which number of ministries under which ever possible constellation it can have. In my view, this is rather a smoke curtain - or a carrot on a stick - rather than a credible government measure to make a connsiderable contribution to the state's treasure.

When seeing the poker faces of the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, you get a feeling that this is a pre-election joke, or a test; who can tell the biggest bogus without bursting out in laughter. To effectively compensate the negative effects on the treasury chest, you need more; curbing your own corrupt methods and rule as a genuine statesman. But alas, that seems too far fetched.

MS

Politics, power and emotions

Almost everybody has ever heard of the famous phrase "divide and rule" (divide et impera), already applied by Julius Caesar in antiquity. While this was in fact a strategy to ensure that consolidation of forces against the Romans would not pose a threat, we can witness a kind of self-imposed divide-and-rule status within Slovak society. A trend, which is making public static, to the extent of appearing completely apathic.

It can be demonstrated, that Slovaks have been subjected to a number of decades of forced silence. where communist leaders would eagerly demonstrate consent from the proletariat, but the population equally understanding that keeping hush-hush posed the least trouble to your every day life. Criticism didn't pay, unless you had relentness courage to withstand continuous intimidation, imprisonment, hard labour, and in the 1950s even the gallows. Concurrently, anybody with a slight intellectual inclination, was per definition suspicious; being born into an old-bourgeois family was a guarantee for harassment from above. The prevailing attitude "I know nothing, I only work here" was the safest excuse.

As we are 20 years down the line, since the Velvet Revolution, the present government has trespassed several borders, which in a modern western, democratic and open society would never be maintainable. It is not to say that western democracies never face government crises; there is only a huge difference, how society as a whole is aware of its rights to act. Here we have a paralising discrepancy, which is gratefully exploited by those who have an interest to remain in their warm seats.

The recent spontaneous demonstrations have become a sign, that society is not completely apathic. We can detect a strong sense of disgust, which sometimes does lead to quite emotional debates. These debates are however too virtual. Facebook (noticeably Twitter being much less used than in other countries) seems to be the principle platform of most of the opponents. But we see a disturbing trend:

Through the political terror of the past totalitarian regimes, open discussions and debating skills are somewhat absent. What strikes me most, is a lack of a sound respons on analyses. Not stating that it is completely absent, since there are definitively some capable minds. Yet, the difference in wavelengths is disturbing. In other words; some organisations and institutes, which profess certain ethical values, seem not to be able to deliver their message to those for whom it is intended.

The other group of opponents, realising the depths of the situation, act for a great part purely emotionally. Emotions are strong mechanisms in people's reasoning and actions. Not only can they create e.g. the most beautiful symphonies they have also the power to instigate genocides. There is therefore a division between what one feels and what can be said. Upfront using invectives does not create much room for sensible and constructive dialogues. In addition, readily accepting a possibility that one has made a mistake, accidentally made a wrong evaluation of the situation, and the like, is equally difficult a task to some. It must be said, that being lead by emotions, is a general observations and is as much widespread among those who currently criticise and those who defend the government.

Furthermore, Slovaks have - from the aforementioned experiences from the past - much distrust in politicians, generally speaking. Regardless, whether a politician is without any blemish, his party-membership puts him into a negative light. Purely from an emotional point of view. Mistakes made by former (post-1989) governments are still in the minds of the people. Any government makes mistakes, but such an analysis mostly lands on deaf ears. Some of the already mentioned organisations and institutes usually have a certain link with political parties, which a priori builds a wall of distrust around them.

Finally, while every day several new discussions start on Facebook, or even new groups are set up, this also adds to the division in society; While on the one hand, the environment, where even the most remote corners of the country can be accessed (provided internet access is available) so costly travel is involved therefore, the ease becomes equally a threat, as a hundred uncoordinated groups of opponents compete with eachother, like a shouting crowd that cannot hear what is said. There is hardly any unifying channel, like a civic movement - free from any political party - which could have been the only way forward to unite the population. To find the greatest common denominator, basic and realistic principles acceptable to any morally thinking person instead of offering every day a new sub-group only to become an administrator of an own page.

Therefore, Slovaks will to a high degree remain divided, where the leadership will continue to rule over them, as there is no majority alternative. Why none of the many movements has grasped the right momentum now in an effective way is hereby explained. What society would need is (to refer to Jane Austen's novel) sense and sensibility. Understanding what and knowing how. That will be a question of time, patience and education.

MS

A feeble turning point

What first started as a dynamic public movement to massively oppose Slovakia's government, after a number of obvious corruption scandals, has somewhat an uncertain direction.

In our normally western type democracies, any government that has committed gross transgression of not just political ethics, but concrete laws and regulations, would be immediately sent home. Perhaps not always with the usual pitch and feathers treatment, but anyway. A transgression is simply not done, and none of the leadership is permitted (as they are de facto the representation of the people and for the people). Even if it is a case of a hint of irregularity - different from a outright misdemeanor, as is the case right now.

Slovakia is at a crossroad, where the opposition seems not to be fully able to grasp the dynamics of the chances that were thrown into their laps. While a certain part prefers the government to remain seated till the end (i.e. June 2010) in order to keep them dangling in their scandals, other groups - including myself - see no reason in having the government to continue.

The risk of allowing this government to sit the whole journey, is the mere fact, that although now the eyes of the electorate have been opened, time can settle down all the dust and Mr Fico can argue that leaving them in power is a sign that all was in order. A clever demagogue, time will be his best ally.

Today, I have attended a protest rally - organised by activist Alojz Hlina; a courageous individual, who fights, despite of  unjust criticism, like a Don Quijote against the windmills of the regents - to express our support for the recent demonstrations, which have partially been a success. Perhaps, because of the freezing temperatures, perhaps of the short time notice, the number of attendance was somewhat meagre. When believing Facebook, there are several tens of thousands of supporters, which is a stark contrast indeed. But let's blame it on the arctic weather conditions as well as the fact that it was the middle of the week.

Society is now at its vigilence. Opposition forces, should avail of this power now, else the nation will lose its momentum to face Fico's populist cabinet. The Prime Minister has spoken yesterday that democracy has been threatened by anarchy. In fact, its far from true: broad public has perhaps now realised what true democracy is. Government has breached the laws of the state, and it is the publics responsibility to regain back its power. In order to regain not only real attempts towards true democracy, but also to regain their own credibility. Only hoping, it's not too divided such that Fico will nevertheless be victorious for another fatal term. Go for it!

MS

Should I pay for propaganda?

Critical moments in the political field are an excellent test, how well balanced broadcasting stations are stransmitting information to the audience. Exposure in our technology age is very high, and one can easily compare various networks with eachother and verify different sources. A single propaganda channel - as was pehaps common more than 20 years ago at this side of the Iron Curtain - is no longer the case (unless you live in North Korea perhaps).

Yet, there is an observation, which I would like to highlight. Like most countries, Slovakia too has a national broadcaster (STV and SRo, respectively - as you might guess somewhat: the Slovak Television and the Slovak Radio). Equally this holds for the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands or any other country that is. In comparison with the said countries, the national TV and Radio stations have a big deficiency, which expecially during the last few weeks became quite apparent; objective news.

True is, that we have currently far more access to news through the internet for example, yet one would expect that a public broadcasting corporation like the said STV and SRo, are intended to serve the broad public. Especially for providing information, and the reason why these networks have it as a given obligation is that - like government - they are paid by compulsory fees levied to be paid by individual households, irrespective whether they indeed make use of them. At least in Britain, one only pays a licence fee, if one owns a TV. IN Slovakia one pays, in the event you have electricity in the house.

In one of my earlier blogs, I have already mentioned the fact, that generally speaking I miss quality journalism, where contents of society's probems and politics are analytically presented, be it in a form of discussion or an one-to-one interview. Whatever. More and more it became apparent how servile journalists behave in comparison to their colleagues abroad (with a few exceptions I must say, but this is limitied to one handful).

While one can expect private networks, sponsored by major commercial companies, to have a specific preference - progressive, conservative, denominational or whichever other identity, I would prefer that those whom I have to sponsor by law, not to behave like a propaganda machine for the sitting government, as has been the case in recent months. When comparing which newsitems received wich priority, howmany minutes spent on each item, it is giving a clear picture on the overall trend within the public news branch.

During the recent turbulent days of demonstrations against the government scandals, although the events got a major dynamism through Facebook, when talking to people in the street, even relatives, hardly anyone seemed to notice - or even realising the real background of the uproar.

It is therefore slightly disturbing, that by law, the public stations are required to give objective news, by law I am obliged to pay for them, but the public stations do nto adhere to this law. The next step is, that I shall appeal against these fees, since the public networks have breached the law. No state should force its citizens to pay for unwanted propaganda. At least not in the EU, I would say.

MS

A High Toll for Fico

Slovakia's Prime-Minister Fico, despite of earlier unrelenting statements, seemed to have made a few concessions towards the protesting truck drivers. Nevertheless, his populist propaganda method he continues to persistingly feed the TV cameras with untrue facts. While nobody is opposing the principle of an electronic toll system, the implemented monstrum is an absolute technical failure. Until today, Minister Vážný of Transportation still likes to claim that the system is functioning correctly ("excelently"), reality however is completely the opposite.

The very mere fact, that the tender for this system was won by an obscure newly established company, which even had the highest bid (resulting in an overpayment of about 250 million Euros!). While suspiciously the requirements during the tender were cleverly adjusted, such that other bidders would no longer meet the demands, the outcome was more or less clear. But then, this is nearly a common practice for most tenders under Fico. EU regulations or not.

The system works based on GPS locating. What happens in practice is that let's say a truck has to deliver goods at several locations next to the toll way. He departs from his home, and the moment he reaches the coordinates, the whole amount for a 9km route is charged - after 1km he leaves this route to arrive at his first client. When done with unloading and the usual paper stuff, he heads back to the toll way in order to continue his round. Again he will be charged for 9km. The result is, for leaving the main road in order to do his usual deliveries (which is basically his job) he will be charged x-times the full 9km every time when the GPS is assuming him re-entering the said road, resulting in a tremendous overcharge. Equally other hardware related inadequacies have been detected, which could have been easily avoided, and not to mention the total chaos at the registration offices.

Despite running systems in other European countries, this particular technology has been implemented clearly by an incompetent company (which was to be expected), without any adequate testing. In real life, any project manager, who dare to deliver such faulty product will definitively fly out the doors at sound speed. In Slovakia, the responsible ministers keep claiming how well the system works, that unnecessary negative press by the media is causing misinformation to discredit government, that the truck drivers didn't order the hardware on time, or that the drivers don't want to pay for a toll system.

The couple Fico-Vážný should have realised earlier; doing murky business is always risky. The toll system is a visible result of their unacceptable amateurism. While you can hide many fishy deals behind closed doors or misty political rhetoric, a toll system is visible to the common man in the street (or in a truck, that is). It exposes exactly, how unprofessional and unprepaired leadership is pushing forward something at the expense of literally everything.

In Germany similar hiccups - even though definitively more professionalism was involved - caused the responsible people to resign and the system was suspended until technical adjustments were made. Makes sense, I would say. Here Fico pushed too far. And by continuing to state that 'truck drivers' don't want to pay, he is slowly putting himself into a hazardous position. His compromise to postpone the electronic toll charging till the end of the month (while the official opinion is, that there is nothing wrong with the system), lowering tax on diesel to curb costs for the logistic sector, seems a slight victory. Fico for sure never expected such a uproar in society - I guess, it could have easily been avoided - but he hardly really gives in. It is surely a tactic to stretch time and make him look as the powerful statesman.

Nobody has ever denied the fact, that a toll system is necessary. Obviously good infrastructure must be financed - especially by the user - and this is quite fair. The quality of Slovakia's roads is alarming - even when a road is being repaired or constructed, in a few days it starts having holes. An engineer to explain me why. So never has there been any demand to abolish the toll system, only to stop this nonsensical inadequate system to be improved to a normal acceptable standard.

The question is, whether this time he has been stretching a bit too far. A project like this is more than embarrassing. The fact that common people - truck drivers - from all over the country have now directly experienced Fico's totally incompetent administration. What they see in practice, and what Fico is telling the cameras could equally starting to work against his government. Why blaming the involved parties for only protesting now and not before?... well, because not a single expert had any clue what was going on. When keeping things secret, it is hard to establish founded evaluations beforehand. It usually goes, that a criminal is successful, until he makes his first mistake. This toll system could in the end indeed be a very high toll for Fico, for he made too many mistakes. I only hope, that this gives him some sleepless nights already.

MS

Revolution - ... when?

Years ago, I heard a joke, which until today is still in my mind; The most important jewish thinkers and their philosophies. First came Moses, and said that "Everything that is important comes from the mind". Then came Jesus, and said that "everything that is improtant comes from the heart". Followed by Marx, stating that "everything that is important comes from the belly" (Notice, that physically the level goes down each step). Then came Freud proclaiming that "everything of importance comes from the genitals". Finally came Einstein: "Everything is relative". A joke is a joke, yet somewhat, I see a certain line in the story, which came across during todays conversation.

During the truck demonstrations in Bratislava for the past few days, we happen to talk to many different kinds of people. All very supportive and - fortunately - of good mind. Somehow one asks oneself, why is a nation so passive, while every one you meet is sufficiently critical? On Facebook, we find currently more than 54 thousand followers, (and still counting) when arriving at the site of the demonstrators hardly 20 of them are to be found.

Mr Fico's government has for many years a cummulative record of controversies, which would instantaneously make any decent western citizen his jaw drop on the ground. Causes of hording wealth, covering up in a case of battering of a young Hungarian student girl, which until today is unsolved and dodgy. Illegally handled tenders. School reforms which are merely wasting of time and resources instead of managing a true reform (for improving education). A Minister of Justice with drug mafia connections, becoming the boss of the Supreme Court (against regulations). A coalition partner, using vulgar languange to minorities to a police-officer, without being reprimanded for it, Up to the two recent scandals.

Any decent society would have sent these politicians behind bars. Yet nobody hardly attempted. Opposition is paralysed, far from united, and things go on day by day in the old fashioned way. Why is then this truck drivers demonstration suddenly a trigger for - albeit through virtual channels - a relatively massive popular movement (for the time being)?

No matter, how destructive Fico's policies will show in future, this is still too abstract for society to realise. The fact that truck drivers pointed at dramatical increases of e.g. food in your local supermarket makes people suddenly see the dangers.

From biblical times on, we know (at least for those who truly read the Holy Book) how important it is to support your neighbour in need, the elder, etc. It is the foundation of Judaism and consequently Christianity. Yet it was neither this Biblical given nor the Humanist movement that moved masses to revolutions, but rather the fact that famine and misery. The belly (stomach then). True, the French revolution was indeed sparked from a shortage of wheat - thus no more bread. Marx motivated masses, who were suffering in the dark and dangerous factories as a result of the uncontrolled expansion of industrial technology. So from the head, heart, the stomach seems prominent enough.

So despite of immoral behaviour, will Slovakia only get on their feet when it will directly affect their wallet or shopping-cart? Let's hope that somehow, they can see a bit further beyond this limited horizon and realise the long term value of the fruits of a moral government. And the government comes forth from society.

MS

The Dzurinda dilemma

The rare occasions, when the Prime-Minister is asked a critical question on one of his Cabinet's numerous controversial causes, he never answers them in a straight manner, but without cessation he refers to the many causes of his predecessor's government or blames the latter. This sole sentence alone has already three big question marks.

While one of the hottest discussions within the EU is, whether Turkey is to become a EU member, meanwhile the broadly accepted approach is, that among others as long as Turkey is not respecting human rights and free press, it is somewhat a paradox that Slovakia, although having entered the EU in 2004, is experiencing serious curbing of its freedom of press. Critical questions during press conferences are simply not permitted. Not only - in case it incidentally happens - the journalist faces either a vulgar ranting (something, which already is a faux pas for any serious politician) or the answer will be a mist of propagandistic monologue of all the other good deeds - where the point of the original question seems lost forever. Lastly, by throwing the blame to a previous government, is not only a bad habit, it is a dilettante manner of behaviour, lowering the level of our dear Prime-Minister to the level of a 5-year old kid in a sandpit. Not to mention the fact, that most of his examples he points at are somewhat irrelevant (or have no logical foundation). Furthermore, he is in charge of the present situation; what is in the past, is irrelevant. He has accepted the role of being Prime Minister of this government, so it is his political responsibility to answer or otherwise be accountable for his policies.

There is however one common thread, which nevertheless is a threat (with a "t"). Mr Mikuláš Dzurinda has indeed some blame to face, despite the fact, that his government was the most democratic in Slovak history - unlike that of Mečiar. After the dark years (1993-1998) after Slovakia turned independent from the Czecho-Slovak Federal Republic where Mečiar's methods of looting and intimidation was a real black page in modern history. Dzurinda's government not only re-established order, it also introduced many necessary reforms - though not always perceived as pleasant at that time - which paved the way, especially economically, for Slovakia to be able to enter the EU. The said reforms, felt by the population was one of the reasons, why his government after some controversies surfaced was punished with a severe defeat. Ever since Mr Dzurinda is having a stigma of being one of the least popular politicians.

Mr Fico - as a politician a pure failure, especially for his contradictory statements, cover up of clear embezzlements, and his open sympathies for the pre-1989 (communist) regimes - is proving to be a sly fox, with a propaganda method directly from Brezhnev's era and a skilled populist. While a few controversies of Mr Dzurinda's government were indeed serious enough, the continuous finger pointing by Mr Fico is at one point embarrassingly repetitious - leave alone that Fico's controversies are of a much graver nature -  but it seems an effective measure to keep the opposition cornered and passive like a lame duck.

As Slovaks face elections later this year, Mr Dzurinda's refusal to step down (after the election debacle in 2006 he should have done that much earlier) in order to give back his party some strategic credibility to regain some strength again. Exactly this is the weakest spot of the Slovak opposition.

Dzurinda has given Slovakia much - the mere fact that Slovaks again began to feel proud of being Slovak; successfully becoming an EU member; by economically preparing Slovakia for the Euro, and Schengen (the last two were implemented during Fico's administration, and thus Fico - for a change - is not using this to blame Dzurinda but to compliment himself). Yet the stain of the past is a serious barrier. Since Fico's Government is going to be very destructive for the Slovak society for the long-term, it is necessary to find an immediate alternative. Dzurinda is unfortunately enough the sole reason, because of his slightly egocentric behaviour, why Fico has such a big chance to win. That would be a fatal disaster.

MS

The risks of a blasé attitude

The country is beginning to move. The recent Dublin Airport explosives incident and the surfacing inadequacies as a result of the controversial electronic toll system - obtained by a tender procedure which was, to say the least, grossly irregular - people's impatience with the political arrogance of the present government seems to come to an end. The fierce discussions, which are visible on social network groups like Facebook, showing a growing discontent, provide some indications but what is equally siginificant; people start appearing openly in the streets to air their grudges.

Yet I see some understream tendencies, which do cause me to worry quite a bit. Initially, some users have indeed genuine attempts to kick off some valid and inspiring ideas, however very soon some crypto extremist members penetrate and start referring to links containing ambiguous and questionable content, which imply even racist tendencies.

Furthermore, there is also a presence of those, who hardly seem to grasp the logic of simple argumentation. They are therefore easily prone to the former group, or at least remain completely passive to the whole situation. Not out of indifference, just because they remain convinced of the fact that there is no necessity to move towards a change.

It has become really a clear reality, which in truth pains me to admit - and not because I seem to enjoy criticising, but because it is a sheer fact - that generally this society is alarmingly lacking some skills to deeper analyse problematic situations and create constructive solutions. Having articulated this harsh verdict, I also have to add that there are of course some individual exceptions. But overall, there is a high wall, impenetrable, causing superficial sophist (half-truths) argumentation to be willingly accepted, leading a vast majority into erring.

Personally, I have witnessed very strong pieces of examples, where 'professionals' would without blinking their eyes, use the lamest excuses to dodge their responsibilty (or repercussions of their earlier decisions), where signed contracts mean nothing, where a risk analysis is regarded as offensive (instead of a tool to avoid further harm), and so forth. The fault lies mainly in the educating system; if you do not raise your children from an early age what basic moral values and principles are, about ethics, debating skills, etc, then this nation will remain (as a prominent politician once admitted) "a bunch of peasants". But though all the negative influences from the past - wars, communism and so forth - there must be a drive to accellerate. Allowing ourselves to "understand" the problem, easily we slip into passivity: "there's nothing we can do about it, because... ". Exactly this forms a downwards spiral only profitable for those opportunistic elements. Slovakia is still facing some serious risks, simply because it fails to analytically see the broader picture. A dramatic tendency to underestimate, the latent risk of a blasé attitude.

To conclude, I would still like to illustrate one last example, even though it might look irrelevant, it clearly depicts the situation; Slovakia's language skills are still needing improvement. One can but wonder, how it is possible, that in an information age as we experience now, English texts on official web-sites of the Slovak Government still contain errors? Perhaps there are not enough capable translators in Slovakia? (Guess not). I tried another one this morning: the website of the Slovak Embassy in the UK. According to my information, the majority of people in the UK do speak English, most of them even as a native speaker (correct me if my assumption is wrong or outdated). Why then, that even this Embassy, is not capable posting English texts without grammar errors - since they are hardly just typo errors - while one would gather, that you have ample English speakers around you? You tell me. Whether it makes such a difference? It's about principle.  But will  it mobilise the nation now into the right direction?

MS

Magic 21

The lately commemmorated Velvet Revolution in 1989 started somewhat unexpected. Even though in the countries around us, changes were visible, the Czechoslovak Communist Party was still governed by hardliners, who were even more conservative than the Soviet master - wanting to 'be more Catholic than the Pope'. The initial spark was in fact very trivial, and - unlike one would expect from most revolutions, where leaders were strategically planning for some years - it was only a students' march to remember Jan Opletal, who was shot by the occupying Nazi Germans in 1939, and was somewhat a national hero-symbol of a promising youth against a totalitarian system, which - as you can imagine - didn't please the comrades much, as they were equally a totalitarian monster.

Exceptionally, they got a permission to hold a 'formal' demonstration at the famous Vysehrad cemetery, but spontaneously, they decided to march up to the city as well, where police hindered them and the final result was a brutal beating up against unarmed peaceful demonstrators. Brutal force, together with propaganda that this was justified to eliminate dangerous elements to save the state, is always a prerogative of totalitarian regimes. The repercussions ended slightly different from what the leaders expcted, causing a domino effect and the whole system crumbled down within days.

Not only has Slovakia - or its leaders - exposed itself for its incompetences in the foreign press due to the explosives incident with Dublin, an equally serious debacle has prominently surfaced not only in the headlines at home but abroad; The newly implemented electronic toll system has proven a bit of an unwanted failure. What is most jawdropping, is that the responsible ministers, at the respective press conferences (and mind you; those are held days too late) while the ministers show hardly any responsibility, claiming that everything is completely under control, toll system is working excellently, and yet the opposite is visible.

Not only is this a show of utmost arrogance of the regents, but clearly demonstrates their lack of political intuition that their behaviour is resulting in a dangerous fiasco. The electronic toll system was from the very onset a clear farce, as the most expensive bidder won the tender. Usually the rule would go, that the least expensive should get a preference, but this would be too logical for Mr Fico's friends; obviously, if your befriended company happens to have a more expensive bid, you still choose them even though it is costing additional unnecessary millions of euros of tax payers' money. In the meantime, the chosen supplier, has delivered a crappy system, with numerous faults and other serious inadequacies. Examples, that if you drive on a nearby road, the GPS system assumes you are on a toll road and charges you twice, hardware that does not meet requirements for its application, etc.

Yet, the minister, who was traceless during the implementation date as he was on a holiday, solemnly declared that the system was functioning excellently, and as it is not just concerning Slovak truck-drivers (who have to cough up additional costs for installation of the said system in each truck, therefore will be faced with higher operating costs - eventually the end-customer will feel the effect), also foreign companies will perhaps reconsider using Slovakia as a transit country, not even to say the long cues of trucks at the borders. In other words, this mess is noticeable abroad as well.

Bratislava is as of yesterday blocked by angry truck-drivers. Other cities have slowly followed. Prime-Minister Fico refused (surprise, he is still there, although not visibly) talking to them unless they clear the streets, but - knowing Comrade Fico's credibility - the drivers did not relent. Maybe this is the long awaited spark for finally putting Fico's cabinet on their knees, where now even the loyal Fico-voters will perhaps see, how damaging the many years of devastating nepotism have become. And I do not want to appear as a melodramatic mediaeval Cabbalist or numerologist, but isn't it striking that we have a pattern of 21; when taking the dramatic year numbers that marked (Czecho)Slovak history - 1968 (+21=) 1989 (+21=) 2010.

I have always wondered, why the opposition - despite of all clear controversies - keeps on failing to mobilise their forces, which is rather frustrating. But what started with a silly telex to Dublin airport and an exorbitantly overcharged failing toll system hiccup might be a n eye-opener, a turning point that might give the broad until now passive public back some common sense and the has created therefore the right momentum for those, who feel to do something about it, to unite and act. Let's not waste this chance! Magic 21...

MS

Explosive news: Slovakia's dubious international fame

It took a few days, before I recovered from laughter, even though the cause is much more serious every hour. The past few days namely have been preoccupied with a slight mishap of the Slovak border police at the Poprad Airport. In order to train their canine assistants to detect possible explosives among the baggage of passengers, completely against every Slovak law, policemen hid 2 samples of explosives, without even informing passengers. The doggie did its work, ... but the policeman forgot to collect one of the items.  The rest is history; or better hot current news, accumulating as we write (or read).

What follows is a waterfall of amateuristic nonsense from the responsible ministries and involved organisations. Under a facade of 'admitting' a slight mistake, contradictory and irrelevant facts are being concocted, making it more than just embarrassing to follow. Up to the point that even the Slovak Ambassador to Ireland is not able to give even a slightly plausible answer during his interview, as he seems hardly to be briefed by his government.

Not only have the Slovak police put an innocent passenger into danger, not to mention what could have happened if an electrostatic spark would have triggered an explosion. The mere fact, that nobody knew what, where, and when to act adequately. One statement runs against another one. Acting too late, too inappropriate.

Maybe this unhappy event will finally open the eyes of those in Brussels, and most of all in Slovakia, to realise what a kind of government of incompetent amateurs are in charge, who show hardly any sign of political decency to take the right step as befits a civilised politician to make; to resign. One cannot stop but gaze in awe. Even chief inspecteur Clouseau and the gendarme de St-Tropez could handle so much slapstick nonsense into one movie.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0107/1224261824246.html
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/government-fury-as-slovaks-play-blame-game-2002752.html
(the other hundreds of entries can be googled) ;-)
MS

A new year, new....

We reached the first ten already; that is, in our century. Although New Year brings forth new resolutions (mostly related to bad habits - wonder why.....). The year 2010 will bring Parliament elections in Slovakia. Whether every voter will include in his or her New Year's resolution the fact to improve his voting skills this time. 

Prime-Minister Fico's ruling party received however a very welcome early Christmas present in December during the 8th Conference of the Party of European Socialists (PES) in Prague. To refresh the readers' mind; when Mr Fico formed a coalition of his socialist party (SMER) with the ultra nationalist SNS party, the PES excluded SMER from its membership. In the meantime SMER not only fully supported dodgy businesses iniciated by various ministers within the coalition; illegal tenders, bribes, but also systematic undermining justice, influencing judiciary procedures, neglecting minority issues, extorting compensations from newspapers on true matters which de facto has become a censorship tool to curb free press. Nevertheless, without a clear reason why, SMER was again re-welcomed back into the arms of the PES-family.

Politics sometimes is a complex field. A couple of months ago, an acquaintance asked on Facebook a question, what is the difference between left and right in politics. A fairly good question, as the post 1989 world seems to have somewhat lost clear divisions between the two orientations. Just to mention an example, when former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair innovated British Labour into New Labour. In the past, I have had some close dealings with politics - then also in coalition with leftist parties - in the 'West'. Even then, regardless of any political party, the role of politics was merely for public interest. Naturally, perhaps an individual within the system would succumb to the temptation of bribery or other not so kosher remunerations, but when found out, it would mostly mean the political end station for the said person. In addition, what I still remember from my schoolbooks, socialism (and not referring to the Soviet style variant) somehow envisaged to stand up for the weaker citizens in society. 

Neither of the above is within the agenda of Mr Fico's party, resulting in a autocratic almost pre-1989 style communist structures, where public interest seems a dirty word, and political propaganda is fairly effective to deviate the attention from unethical causes and scandals. Therefore, the decision of the PES is a big questionmark to me, both in the fact, that it runs completely counter any "socialist" principle and secondly since it gives a wrong signal to voters, as Mr Fico is using this as a justification tool to further consolidate his power. 

Whether the PES should be bothered with internal Slovak polity seems perhaps arguable, yet the answer is YES. Why then, was SMER ousted in 2006? Reverting this decision is a slap in the face not only of those who understandably are struggling against Mr Fico's lust for power; the bill for billions of Euros disappearing thanks to Fico's cleptocratic government will sooner or later be coughed up by those who are weak in society, and this for a very long time. Socialism, as described earlier, used to stand up for those weak. Now it turned into standing up for those who are in power and more and more wallowing in wealth. Here the logic seems completely lost.

Sometimes we face hard times and use the (rather rude) expression "life is a bitch". In Slovak, the translation is "život je pes", where pes means simply dog. Or at least I thought so. Now I wonder, whether it refers to the PES. Mr Fico will surely profit from this, giving him another ace to win another term.

Happy New Year to you all, and may the new year bring back common sense and tolerance!

MS