Election Fever

Election time is fast approaching and not only in Slovakia. How refreshing, but also an interesting comparison materials for politics watchers, to be able having access to other foreign television channels or via internet, to see some other habits. Currently, next to the said Slovak developments, I equally follow the upcoming elections of both Britain and the Netherlands as well.

Last night, the BBC aired the first election debate between the leaders of the three parties running for the favour of their electorate. Given the historical fact, that Britain has traditionally been a two party system - only recently augmented by a third player - the debating styles are nevertheless intriguing to follow. The Dutch, equally accustomed to open debates, yet a tiny bit more direct than their counterparts from across the Channel, offer a slightly different flavour, albeit that the discussion partners involved are thoroughly prepared and factual.

Slovakia's offer is, sad to say, a poor contrast to the previous examples, as no serious media debate is available at all. Prime-minister Fico refuses to appear directly in one TV programme with another opposition party leader for a direct discussion. Usually another person is sent to the studio, and for whatever the excuse may be, this is a rather unprofessional behaviour. Not appearing by the British or the Dutch prime-minister in any debate would be a sign of weakness and up-front resignation.

Why Slovakia's case is as depicted, is a combination of many factors; Firstly, there is hardly a tradition in open political debates - formerly, the Communist Party dictated every discussion concerning any imaginable matter relevant to society. This style is, even after 20 years of democracy, joining NATO or EU membership. Society has hardly understood, what democracy is about.

Equally responsible would be the inadequate attitude of e.g. the press, teachers in schools, or even intellectuals. Except from an individual attempts of those, who exceptionally feel committed, the large masses remain uniformly grayish and far from knowledgeable to have at least a clue of how far their democratic principles are at risk. To them, free elections enough to believe that democracy works. The lack of any effective control mechanism, accountability, and not to forget an independent judicial system, has demoted this weak democracy in a totalitarian wolf in sheep-skin.

If free, well-balanced, factual and open debates are fairly non-existent (and even then it is a repetitious monologue of propagandistic or populist mantras), how free then are the elections de facto? In reality, democracy in Slovakia is non-existent. Despite their EU membership, Schengen, and the like. Very sadly, it is a mere "Balkancracy": The 21st century still hasn't arrived yet.

MS