Heavy tasks ahead

Despite the day-after euphoria due to the surprisingly positive election results, it would be fair enough to add a few critical remarks as well. While the final definitive results show a majority for the 'rightist' parties, there is still a considerable support for the previous coalition, be it perhaps below the surface.

What we can see, is still that - equally as recently was the case in the Czech Republic - that the social democratic party SMER has received the most votes, albeit that losing its coalition allies makes further governing practically impossible. Yet reality is, that every third voter, despite scandalous causes, despite impertinent stealing, despite shameless nepotism, still has supported this party's programme - or rather its leader. 

It clearly shows, that populist propaganda has a considerable impact on the voters; in other words, the political or democratic consciousness of society is requiring still a long learning process; being able to distinguish from realistic political measures or hollow populist phrases. One of the noticeable maxims heard during the campaigns - and to be honest, even on the opposition's side - was this constant left-right labelling. Yet it is a fact, that when compared to Western style political parties, SMER-SD is far from a social democratic party and thus not leftist while the opposition parties (at least most of them) are not even truly rightist. Thus the "landslide" change as we wish to view it, is hardly such a landslide, but most of all, the turnaround is very brittle.

The biggest change will be needed in the judiciary system, which is severely corrupted, or at least has been servile to the HZDS-meciarist-pressure from above. If at least this change would be successfully implemented, it would be a giant leap forward. This basic human right (to be protected by laws) - almost non-existent till now - is essential in a western EU country. Equally, the financial state is deeply in danger; corruption and misappropriation of funds is endangering EU Funds - it should be realised, that failing this, the tax-payer will be the one to cough up the gap. It's not to be trivialised, as did the current ministers.

And let's not always fall back into these continuous polemics that Slovakia has a communist past, that other countries are perhaps worse of, that it has been the case ever since. Let's stop blaming others, history, or whatever. If there is a challenge now, solve it now. Not wail.

Every Slovak knows this, complains in the pub, but does in principle hardly anything. A change of mind would be helpful. Now that SMER got an ear-bashing, hopefully some positive trends will become lasting ones. Time to take a firm grip and act. Regardless whether rightist, leftist, everyone needs to take the responsibility.

MS