Radio Slovakia International

Analysts Say Slovaks Are Sensitive about Politicians Holding Two Posts

RSI

“In order to perform well, a politician should have only one post”, said political scientist Marcela Gburova in a thinly-veiled reference to newly-elected governors Vladimir Manka in the region of Banska Bystrica and Pavol Freso in Bratislava who are also members of the European and Slovak parliaments respectively. Analysing the second round run-off elections for four regions on a political TV programme, Gburova further stated that ”it is about time that political parties considered this issue, which is a fairly sensitive one for all Slovaks.” Electoral results, according to her, depend on both the campaign of the candidate as well as socio-economic conditions of a region where the candidate aspires to succeed. Presov and Kosice are among the regions stricken by the highest unemployment rates, which are reflected in the success of candidates representing the leftist social democrats.
Asked what makes Bratislava distinct from other parts of Slovakia in terms of candidates and electorate, sociologist Zuzana Kusa said that Bratislava is a capital with the highest concentration of productivity in Slovakia. ”There are academic government institutions concentrated here, many university-trained people interested in politics, and some of them are already adopting the rightist view as the correct world view,” she said. As for putting a number of different elections together, Kusa thinks that this might boost voter turnout; on the other hand she noted that if there are too many elections on a single day it is hard to envisage a transparent campaign in which voters will be able to absorb the issues. ”This must be a subject of very careful consideration in order for voters not to be swamped by information which will eventually paralyse them,” she said.

FOTO: SITA