What does Slovakia really want?

The first bumpy section of the road of coalition is there - given the status quo of the country, it was to be expected. Unfortunately.

Not only the role of the media is questionable, slowly a few faux pas of politicians appear. Whereas the coalition is having a tiny, but serious enough crisis. even coalition partners air their criticism on Facebook visible to everyone. 

The sad part is, that a majority of criticism i.e. arguments are irrelevant, while relevant arguments are categorically ignored. This is causing much distress to the matter, to the extent of becoming perhaps uncontrollable. From the discussion I can but conclude that being open to constructive debates is still an unknown territory, especially when coalition politicians air their unfounded or unfair sentiments into the ether. What is lacking, is a basic respect for a dialogue; the decency to listen to arguments.

Furthermore, the prime minister stated not planning to change the hastily imposed nationalistic law on state symbols. Announcing that rather she does not consider this law being important enough, so no need to worry for inspections... Does it mean, that considering a law unimportant, we can simply ignore it? What's next... the speed limit, the drink-and-drive ban, paying taxes?

We wanted a new political culture. Now the new transparent, decent politics is back to  ignoring each other, mending and bending. Slovakia wanted people without old ties to power. When they appear, they are being ranted at by every one for being amateurs, opportunists and/or naive. What does Slovakia really want then? The signal which goes out to the public is a very dangerous one; and they smell it - further absence of order ahead.

MS

Poor Management and Media

The present political hiccups between coalition partners, which is being magnified by, if not even caused by the very same press.

Now let's assume that indeed a clumsy journalist - presuming they are indeed innocent - wrongly publishes some incomplete out-of-context facts, resulting in a bit of a storm in a glass of water. Understanding, that playing the role of an instigator may be very tempting.

What I cannot fully understand is, the lack of co-ordination among the coalition partners themselves, especially when following the SaS (Freedom and Solidarity). 

Being bombarded with confrontations from the outside requires adequate actions; but in a team. Currently, I hear 3 different versions from within one party, including the statements of prime minister Radičová. This is, however, a management failure and a grave risk.

Poor communication between the teams, is not merely a beginner's fault of the new coalition. I have a long list, where a strong misunderstanding of proper PR, poor management coordination and failing communication is rampant here. People plan, and make a lot of assumptions, which you find out at a later stage, that your tasks were much more than initially agreed - in short; failing communication.

As a coincidence, yesterday, when trying to urgently contact a specific person (and yes, in the very same coalition), the secretariat gave me an internet link with the info. This I had googled myself before. That's a role of a secretariat, and thus the contact failed, as I do not have time nor gusto to waste my energy on chasing people.

But a coalition hiccup, magnified by preying eyes of the media is one of the first matters, the coalition partners must effectively tackle and put high on their wish-list without delay. Else Mr Fico will have a great time passively watching the coalition to crumble down.

MS

Slovak Media (II)

Having already expanded on this topic in my last blog, this issue has suddenly become almost embarrassingly visible during yesterday's discussions, especially on issues around one new parliament member. Not just the press' unprofessionalism becomes apparent, but also the constant black-and-white thinking, which is thus being fed by this.

The day started with hot news, announcing that one of the coalition partners is leaving the coalition. The reason was stated as not being satisfied with the coalition's programme, which did not include any of the parties action points. I shall spare you from some of the details, trying to be as concise as possible. A few hours later, this news was withdrawn, leading to endless discussions in the media as well as on the web.

Nevertheless, just a few facts to be in the picture: The coalition member is a newcomer into politics, one of the many, who was tired of old style, centralistic corrupt politics. His party "Ordinary People" entered parliament on a tandem-agreement with the Freedom and Solidarity party. Keeping in mind, that introducing a new breeze in politics might not always be an easy task, getting votes justifies to a certain degree sticking to your resolve.

Hours after the first alarming news, the truth slowly started to surface; The journalist, who quoted the said politician, took the whole quote out of context, in fact made some modifications, which gave the truth a considerable twist. Furthermore, as fragments of contradictory counter-statements flew over the web, chaos was at hand.

Being a rookie in politics is not always to be envied. True is, that an alleged corruption offer to the said parliament member a few weeks ago already stirred the public emotions, are playing somewhat against his reputation - although it must be said, that as it transpired that the offer appeared to be a bad practical joke from an acquaintance, de facto our new man has not done anything unethical at all.

Later that day, Mr Matovič tried to explain the whole matter, but also giving the background to why some dissatisfaction arose, which sheds a different light on the whole matter. In my view, as humble as it may be, I tend to agree with him. One of the measures they were proposing seems fully justifiable; omitting them without consultation is indeed a slight breach of confidence. In addition, he assured a number of times, that 'in the event' they would consider to leave, his party would still support the coalition.

 

Quoting out of context is fairly common in Slovakia (I happen to know even a case, where confronted with such a faux pas, the journalist was nevertheless insisting his out of context version not only to to be correct, but even better); whether it is partly because (former) government's pressure from above, or perhaps a hint that the said journalist in fact is not indeed a specialist in that field is irrelevant. Being paid to do this job, he or she should be performing in a professional way. Prepare his stuff, staying focused on the topic, and being critical at the answers, catching the inconsistencies. Period. The next annoying point is that - although frequent denial - media as well as the public repeatedly assume the 'fact' Mr Matovič has run into the arms of Fico (which is far from the truth) as well as if the coalition has therefore fallen. When appearing in the news, the first questions by the anchorman were indeed again based on these incorrect presumptions (get your stuff right!).

I will skip the long list of nonsense that followed. The sad thing about the whole matter remains, that the atmosphere around the government is prematurely spoiling.  What makes you really wonder - even go mad - is that hardly anyone takes really the time to absorb the facts. Admittedly, after a long day in the office, factory or whatever, people need ready made chunks of news. Disfigured news is deadly. Cucumber season? Not really. Journalism needs a thorough kicking in their rear, else the broad public remains to be fully ignorant. They hardly realise their responsibility, Alas!

MS

Slovak Media: A Shaky Democracy

Two months after the Dutch elections, coalition talks between potential partners have stranded before the weekend. Always a lengthy process, firstly to inform (advise) the head of state on possible coalition constellations, then based on the outcome the head of state is appointing a person in charge of forming a coalition, mostly becoming the designated prime minister. Well, the informative stage is to be repeated, revisiting all possible co-operation options. As one commentator in the Dutch daily Het Parool highlighted, a 'logical' coalition based on election results simply does not exist. 

Some three weeks have passed since the installation of prime minister Radičová's government, and the media portrait a picture of a coalition that is failing. Ms Radičová and the Fico opposition partners, in their determination in order to form a government to end an era of corruption and nepotism, managed to form a government in a record time. Yet the press stress an seeming public disappointment, doom-scenarios of this coalition to implode, and the like. 

The role of the press once again proves a slight hazard to the democratisation process; until the elections, mainly fulfilling the role of a subservient messenger of the Fico government - hardly capable to criticise (be it for professional reasons or simply being willingly submissive, currently this trend. 

Neither roles are good, as the broad public is constantly bombarded with an unbalanced image, where it is hardly informed about true democratic processes, shortly to assume the opinion again how good it was in the old days. 

The repetitious disinformation can become a high risk - which for society will have long lasting negative ramifications. Thorough democratisation of the education system (not merely school programmes, it includes also the coaching of teaching staff as a whole), the judiciary and the like will still take long. It will take too long, if public - that is, the constituents - have no clear idea what politics is all about.

The highest priority is to educate the media. Writing articles is hardly a past time activity for type-fanatics; it has a valid role serving the public interest. Such as politics is. Or else Slovak media will make this democracy far more shakier than it already is.

MS

A constantly failing professionality

Keeping an official website is not always an easy task; considering the fact, that your website will have many visitors, it is therefore necessary that the text is without any ambiguity or typo errors. Of course, there are websites of organisations with a lesser impact in society, but when dealing with websites of a government, then the accuracy is more than just an imperative. 

Last night, I was searching for some information on the web, when my attention was drawn on the website of the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic - how high can you get? When briefly hovering over the text, my eye was suddenly pinned to an interesting phrase: The article deals with the First Lady's welcome of the husband of the Dutch Ambassador, while they quoted the Ambassador's name as "Mrs. Married to Daphne Bergsma" - seemingly assuming that "Married to" was part of her first name... A quick copy-and-past and/or didn't the proof-reader understand? Moreover, even the word "holandského" seems a bridge to far (holadnského). Whichever way, it may look as a big laugh, but it is a faux-pas, illustrating the lack of basic skills in government.

English may perhaps be a very exotic language, which is hardly spoken by anybody in Europe, and despite internet resources it almost an unverifiable lingua of a distant culture. The truth is, that I haven't found any official Slovak government web-page in English so far that has no grammar errors. Knowing, that only the most qualified people get to translate those pages, because mortals like me will hardly have a chance to reach such a responsible task, I simply have no understanding whatsoever. Not only protocol matters are a sign of utter ignorance (still my sincerest apologies to the British royal visitors), but even making a professional site seems to be a mission impossible.

Just a hint; have a look at the English version of the London based Slovak Embassy website... 

MS

The New Politic Culture. New?

The new coalition, forged by the threat of an another imminent Fico term, have shaped its coalition allegiance through their common vision of no more corruption and a new bur decent political culture.

Little fantasy is needed to understand why. Likewise, it must be admitted, little is needed to belong to the new coalition camp and their supporters. That in itself is becoming a threat as well - as the moral barrier is not always high enough. One of the immediate litmus tests was the electing of ex premier Fico to become a deputy chairman of the Slovak parliament, albeit the 5th in line.

Though it is true, that any opposition party is to be included and should receive a fair chance getting votes for a seat in any of the parliament's posts or committees, voting especially a person, who has repeatedly been treading upon democratic principles, was visibly involved in questionable deals and scandals (or at least politically responsible for them) is far more than a bitter disillusion.

The mere fact, that the number of (secret) votes implies, that several coalition representatives have given their blessings to Fico's political leeway. Moreover, a racist neo-fascist party is in charge of the committees on minorities.

A new political culture is perhaps very desirable and indeed requested by a considerable amount of electorate. The behaviour of individual politicians is, however, not yet fully in line with such a new culture. The only parliament member, who had the moral spine to remind his colleagues of this, was Ondrej Dostál. A solo-action. Still a long learning process ahead of us...

MS

Fico's trap

The new prim-minister Iveta Radičová, immediately after taking over office, flew to Brussels to clear some issues regarding Slovakia's support to the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism, including a loan for Greece.

The situation is more or less an uncomfortable balancing act, which in my view, has been cunningly planted by Ms Radičová's predecessor. The whole discussion, not only in Brussels itself, but also in the domestic arena; realising Slovakia's commitments as a result of its EU membership on the one hand, and maintaining an opinion against the faced unrealistic cash-flow to the state treasure, which thanks to Fico's budgetary mismanagement de facto could not afford such a luxury.

Arguably, international commitments are commitments, which are to be kept. ... Provided the stability of the status quo can ensure such. The main problem is, that Fico has performed his role in the past year in Slovakia and in Brussels as an old fashioned communist dictator, making choices and decisions, which he refused to discuss in parliament when asked. Decisions, which have an enormous impact. Concurrently, not even the state of the treasury was disclosed last February - probably being fully aware of the negative response of the government's spending sprees, keeping it hush-hush before the elections (using the lamest excuses one can ever think of) seemed the only solution to reassure re-election.

Unfortunately for Fico, his re-election did not materialise, but tragically enough for Slovakia, and his scheme are already surfacing; becoming painfully visible too, especially here. Fico's agreement to contribute to the rescue of Greece may seem like a just gesture of solidarity, but the bitter reality is, that Fico's generosity is a bit more than the Slovak economy can chew. When returning from the EU meeting, both Fico and his finance minister assured the public that it was the best option for Slovakia, and that no commitment was given - merely an intention. It would not burden the Slovak budget at all. As said, when parliament insisted on a hearing, Fico completely ignored this right (after all, parliament has a legal obligation to do so), calling it premature, unnecessary. 

Now it appears a bit different. The intention was far more than an intention, and from a legal point of view, Brussels is in its right to remind Slovakia to its commitment. The moral problem is, that the new government is facing a budgetary horror scenario, which Fico and his cronies left behind. Together with the budget deficit, kept a secret till after elections, of another billion Euros. A true landmine. Fico is far too happy to pinpoint to the present government for not keeping their pre-election promise of not supporting the far too expensive measure. It has no choice. But Fico's behaviour is becoming more than bitterly arrogant. If Brussels is overly concerned about Greece, let the rich countries cough up the dough. Slovakia could soon go down the drain too because of this, since Fico's  household bookkeeping and irresponsible spending have increased the national deficit up to an unacceptable 7% - and thus trespassing the EU norm. A true trap, with hardly a way out. Further sanctions from Brussels for Fico's dodgy and murky tenders are at hand. A national tragedy.

MS

Too happy to play the second fiddle

Last January Mr Fico, still a prime minister then, vehemently announced the absolute impossibility of him - in the event, he would not be re-elected for another term - to become a parliament party leader for the opposition. Either the idea to be demoted from a prime minister to an ordinary opposition parliament member was too abhorring in his imagination, or it was a fake poker bluff, trying to play a populist card of being prince charming.

When taking his clumsy political record, Fico's credibility has never been his strongest ace to begin with. The proof of tasting the pudding came along with rather unexpected outcome of the elections, where his aggressive tone became a bit milder - turning into a wailing one, not being able to find the right posture as a losing candidate. 

While simultaneous elections in countries like the Netherlands and the Czech Republic showed usual political reactions, in case of loss, the leader takes his responsibility and hands in his demise, Mr Fico was not so much chivalrous to take that step. On the contrary, he changed his tactics and was "looking forward to form a fierce opposition to the future coalition government".

True is, that even as in Dzurinda's case, Slovakia is not having a habit that a losing prime minister leaves the political arena. Unlike it's 'Czech brother' has in that respect a slightly different political awareness (as can be concluded from the very fact that despite of huge scandals and corruption, Fico's popularity is nevertheless soaringly high). 

Changing his mind - or better put: not fulfilling his promises - is common practice with Mr Fico. He will cling at all costs to the velvet cushions of power and its perks that go with it. Yesterday, Mr Fico announced the outcome of his party's candidates' list for the various parliament committees, where his name is put forth as the deputy president of the parliament.

Seemingly a ridiculous demotion; why not right away the president and why only number 2? Well, there's something to it: Realistically, he will not stand a chance to compete for the number 1 seat, so the possibility for getting number 2 as an opposition party's nominee is almost certain. Why would he care? Fico needs one special thing to survive the upcoming years: immunity from criminal investigations, since his hands are far from clean. And for this, the bragging power hungry populist, vowing never to sit in parliament as an ordinary opposition member, suddenly is much too happy to play the second fiddle. For he knows what was wrong under his responsibility.

MS

Brussels' pressure

Since I belong to the generation, who experienced the Iron Curtain - where relatives lived on both sides of the barrier - a united or unified Europe is still a pleasant thought. The EU ensures that we do not have to stop at every frontier, not needing to change your money in every country (admitting that as a boy, collecting coins from many different countries was exciting though), but the economic advantages of free transit, one currency and the like is obviously a step forward.

Furthermore, I vividly remember the entrance of countries into the EEC like Spain and Portugal, which proved to have greatly profited economically (and thus politically?) from the membership. In all, the EU seemed a right solution, especially after the diabolic carnage of WWII.

In the meantime, I have seen a side of the EU, which starts giving me a bit of an uneasy feeling: Slovakia has experienced a government since 2006, which has not exactly been very responsible with the public interest, resulting in an alarmingly dramatical increase of the state deficit. Whereas the government has for a long time completely ignored possible negative influences from the economic crisis, furthermore irresponsible spending sprees to satisfy some people's needs culminated in a budget gap, which the Fico government has kept secret till after the elections.

The Greek crisis is fairly known to us. But, while prime minister Fico has been quite generous to promise Slovakia's participation and contributions to the so called European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism, at home Mr Fico has refused to appear in parliament to discuss the matter. Not only should the parliament function as a control mechanism, but it was just another fling of arrogance of our lusting-for-power red comrade. 

After the elections, when it was clear, that the red leadership would come to a grinding halt - something, which even comrade Fico did not fully foresee - the still acting prime minister was suddenly pressing on the opposition (de facto the newly to be formed coalition) to sit around the table and to discuss the necessity to ratify the agreements. 

One camp has been claiming that Brussels was urging Slovakia to ratify before 1st July, the other that Mr Barroso is personally informed about the post-election status of Slovakia, and has given his understanding of Slovakia's temporary situation until a new government is formally installed. Concurrently, yesterday, another news-item was broadcast regarding EU members, over-stretching the allowed deficit.

But here comes a certain paradox; on the one hand, a relatively (economically ) small contributor like Slovakia is being pressed to cough up a pretty sum to bail out countries like Greece, when in fact, Slovakia is thanks to Mr Fico's household practices (who has had full political support from Brussels or even his PES - the European Socialist Party - friends. 

The European Union is showing some serious flaws in its behaviour, and its principles become slightly inconsistent. Intervening in internal matters may indeed be a tricky thing, but then, when being a bit blackmailed financially (and in all fairness, when taken into consideration the economical status of Slovakia, this is exactly how one could view this) then it becomes a bit of a hypocrite standpoint.

When institutions fail to apply a bit of a common sense, then they slowly lose their credibility. We all know about the tremendous billion slurping apparatus of the European parliament, nonsensically commuting between Strasbourg and Brussels, and the generous fees of the European Commissioners. Perhaps, the EU has become too complacent, and has forgotten, what it has been intended for.

In the meantime, citizens suffer from governments like Fico; have barely enough income to feed themselves or to build an adequate infrastructure, since these type of governments take it all. Every one knows, even in Brussels. But nothing changes. Is this really the EU we wanted?

MS

The First Steps

Hardly two weeks have passed since elections, and it is interesting to follow certain discussions on the web with regards to the newly-to-be-formed coalition. While taking a consolidated step of a sense of responsibility forward, there are certain issues that need to be thoroughly dealt with before the four-coalition will be able to take off. 

Meanwhile they already have agreed on a list of basic issues, which has been an astonishingly fast process, further details will need a bit more time. Already heated criticism as "you see, the rightists are not able to agree on a single issue", or even "the rightist government is completely incompetent" (when there is no new government yet). This illustrates how little society understands democratic processes.

Taking into account, that the Dutch have voted two weeks before the Slovaks, until now, there is not even a consensus on which parties will form a coalition and which not. And here we deal with a country that has had a parliamentary system for hundreds of years. 

The greatest shock of all, was the news, that the state budget has a much bigger deficit than has been admitted. As far as I remember, no democratic country has such an non-transparent budget mechanism as Slovakia, where the role of controlling government by the parliament has been so deliberately obstructed by a prime minister as Fico did. Therefore the burden of the new coalition will be a very heavy one, understandably. 

The Slovaks will face some unpleasant times ahead; where the state deficit must be put under control - which is after all an EU requirement - but equally cleansing the state-apparatus thoroughly. Fico's ministers even after the elections, manage to sign over-priced contracts to accommodate their buddies, which only illustrates how rotten Fico's soviet-styled gang has been ruling the country. Even at bright daylight they manage to steal your pockets empty to the last crumb. 

Slovakia will one of these weeks definitively have the first government without any former communist inside for an ex-Eastern block country. It is about time, so be patient. The work - which actually should have started 20 years ago - finally needs to be done. 

MS