Unfair elections?

Slovakia is going to vote today. Having monitored politics and Slovak society for almost 4 years - basically almost the whole period of the present government - my observations caused me more than mere amazement, awe or surprise. As a Westernised cosmopolitan person I had certain expectations about these elections. But meanwhile, and my readers can sense my feelings, these expectations have slightly turned into anxiety and concern.

Entering the European Union, a country has to comply with a set of minimal requirements - not only economically there should be a sound governance. Politically a transparent structure and human rights must be in line with the minimum standards of the EU. When passing the gate - for those who made it - it seems that suddenly these requirements are regarded to be obsolete. Not only by the interested leaders, but equally the European institutions seem hardly interested to further monitor the trends of the new members. A recent correspondance between myself with a European organisation has proved, that Europe is hardly committed to put gross excesses on the agenda. 

Today the Slovak people will give their voice. A voice which in general is merely a formal one, because the general tendency has been that rulers rule as if the Divine has bestowed them with the right to loot and do whatever Heaven has forbidden. Openess about public finances, decisions and the like is non-existent. Critical voices are regarded to be the work of the 'bad bad oppposition', and critical journalists - even judges - are systematically pushed into a corner of self-censorship, if not being completely ousted from their job.

The campains were dull - the monotonous repetitious populist mantras of Mr Fico, not allowing any criticism, the cover-up of serious issues. Need not to go further. The nation has hardly a clue, what danger it is facing. The soviet styled rhetoric of Fico is still effective enough, and the average Slovak is fine being robbed by some power-lusted oligarchs. Slovaks consider this to be the normal way of politicians, and this all in 2010. An empty vote once every 4 yours is considered to be democratic. Time has not stopped in 1989, but rather in 1489.

If these elections are fair? Considering the populist dosage, considering that the press has hardly the professional skills to counter-attac Fico's unheard of behaviour. The picture of the political scene is so disfigured, that I can hardly agree that these elections in 21st century EU are fair. It is as fair as making your kids believe that Santa Claus really comes with Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. But the negative ramifications of a possible 4 more years of Fico are more severe than most will ever realise. Democratic principles are not just voting each 4th year. This notion, however, is still non existant in Slovakia. Alas!

Only hoping that a miracle happens. Fingers crossed....

 

MS