Around Slovakia in Eighty Days
An interview with Dr. Robert Fico, then Chairman of the SMER party,
by David James, on behalf of Slovakia - Heart of Europe
On the 21st and 22nd of September, the people of Slovakia will be faced with a very important decision. For it is then that the Slovak Nation will go to the polls to decide who will form their future government. This General Election is particularly important, as it simply could not have come at a more critical time for Slovakia. It is no exaggeration to say that the results of the September election will determine whether or not the small Central European country is asked to join NATO later this year, and more importantly, whether Slovakia will gain membership to the European Union, in 2004.
With less than two months to go before the polling begins, all the major political parties are now busy canvassing throughout Slovakia, drumming up support for their campaigns. No party is working harder to reach the people and put across their manifesto than SMER, one of the front-runners to win the elections come September.
SMER, which is Slovak for 'direction', is led by the charismatic Dr. Robert Fico and are seen by many as the fresh face of Slovak politics.
Currently half way through an 80-day tour of Slovakia, SMER are visiting many towns and villages in order to meet the Slovak people face-to-face. These visits take the form of day events, consisting of various activities in the town, such as live music concerts, charity football matches and, of course, an opportunity for Fico and his possible government-in-waiting to address the crowds and answer their questions and concerns.
At one such day event, I was able to meet with Dr. Robert Fico and interview him, on behalf of the Slovakia - Heart of Europe web site. Despite having just completed a charity football match, where he scored the opening goal, and with a busy schedule ahead that evening, Fico kindly gave me fifteen minutes of his time and answered questions concerning SMER, Slovakia and entry into the EU.
There now follows a transcript of that interview, which was conducted in English.
Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
Dr. Fico, following the elections in September, where do you see Slovakia in the coming years, with regards to the European Union and NATO?
Dr. Robert Fico:
As you know Slovakia is a very small country, so it is our priority to achieve integration into NATO as soon as possible. We expect Slovakia to be invited to join NATO in November of this year. We also expect that Slovakia will be invited to join the European Union, and I hope that will be as early 2004.
If you look at the program of all the political parties in Slovakia, you will find that all parties support the idea of membership into both NATO and the EU. Of course there are some differences between the different Slovak political parties as far as their approach to the European Union is concerned. For instance, SMER would support a very strong and national framework for our negotiations for integration within the European Union, we support the idea that the national interests of Slovakia are protected.
Whereas, we feel that the present government of Mikulas Dzurinda is not protecting the national interests of our country, I have in mind the current situation with the Jaslovske Bohunice nuclear power station as a good example of this. We would also support far more strongly the agricultural sector in Slovakia. So, although you may find differences in the approach to joining these two organizations, all the major political parties in Slovakia are seeking membership to them.
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Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
It is widely recognized that if a Vladimir Meciar led HDSZ party were to form part of the next government, it would vastly reduce the chances of Slovakia being invited to join NATO or the European Union. Do you have any comment on this?
Dr. Robert Fico:
There is no reason why I should discuss Mr. Meciar in our interview.
Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
Dr. Fico, if you don't mind me saying so, you are relatively young for a future Prime Minister of your country. Do you feel that your youth appeals to the younger generation in Slovakia?
Dr. Robert Fico:
I am 37, and if you look at the structure of my supporters, it is true that we have a large proportion of voters from the 25 - 36 age group. It is also true that a great proportion of first time voters are attracted to SMER, and yes I feel my age, and the age of the people in SMER, is something that appeals to them.
However, I think that our appeal is mainly down to our ability to use the right words when addressing the youth of Slovakia, the ability to phrase things in a language that they understand.
Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
So what are SMER doing to win the older generation's vote?
Dr. Robert Fico:
Of course, there are obvious methods that some parties use to try and win over the older generation; such as saying that they are going to keep on increasing their pensions. But the older generation in Slovakia are very clever, they know very well that there is no possibility at the moment to increase pensions significantly.
This means that we must be absolutely frank and upfront about the situation in Slovakia, and again use the correct terminology when we explain this. In doing so I think we can attract the attention of the older generation, as well as the young people in Slovakia.
Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
People outside Slovakia may be surprised at the number of political parties in the country. What is your opinion of this?
Dr. Robert Fico:
It is true that in Slovakia there are more than 100 different political parties and that 29 of those parties will try to get into parliament in the next election! This is too many for an effective system. About a year ago, I submitted to the parliament a law according to which the threshold for a political party to get into parliament should be 7% and not 5%, as is currently the case. At the moment, we have a proportionate system of election in Slovakia where each party has to only get 5% of votes to be elected to the parliament. If we were to increase this threshold from 5% to 7%, it would significantly decrease the number of political parties able to get into parliament. Another technique to decrease the number of political parties in Slovakia is to change the system of elections. SMER are in favor of a mixture of a majority and proportional system in Slovakia. That is to say half of the 150 seats in parliament should be elected on the basis of a majority system and the other 75 seats should be elected on the basis of a proportional system. This would mean that only the strong political parties would survive.
Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
So is it true that under the current system in Slovakia we are almost certainly heading for a coalition government?
Dr. Robert Fico:
Yes, and as far as SMER is concerned we are not very happy with the idea that there may be as many as six or seven parties in a coalition government. Could you imagine that being the case in your country? It is very difficult for laws to go through, because these parties have a completely different political approach and it is so difficult to reach any agreement or compromise.
Our idea is to form a coalition government that consists of only two or three political parties, but at the same time this coalition government must guarantee that Slovakia will not be internationally isolated, so that we can receive an invitation to join NATO. With regards to a coalition government, SMER will do everything that is necessary for Slovakia's membership into the European Union. I think you understand what I mean by that!
Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
What techniques are you using to get your message over to the people of Slovakia?
Dr. Robert Fico:
We believe very strongly in direct contact. For example, today is one of eighty such days where we have a special program to meet the people all around Slovakia. It is based on the idea of Jules Verne's book "Around the world in 80 days", and during these eighty days I shall meet directly with approximately 120,000 people. I will shake hands with many of them, and I feel this is the best method to get our message across.
If in September SMER forms part of a coalition government, we will then of course also have the support of the state media, such as Slovakia radio, to get our message across. However, I still believe that direct contact is best, so I will personally recommend that we should continue immediately after the elections to meet with the people. This is because the new coalition government will have to carry out tough measures and tough decisions during the first three or four months of government.
Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
It is clear that the "80 days around Slovakia" means that you will be able to reach the people from the towns and cities in Slovakia, but what about the many voters from the villages?
Dr. Robert Fico:
SMER is not only visiting Slovakia's towns and cities during these 80 days. I am also making a point to visit as many villages in Slovakia as possible. For example, in a normal day, I would start in the morning by visiting some farms in the region and then have a working lunch with representatives from nearby villages. Then I would go on to visit three or four villages in the area. In the afternoon and evening we have an event, like today, in the main town. I will have approximately 340 of these public meetings during the eighty days, which is about 4 public meetings every day. My vice-chairmen are also conducting these public meetings, so we are looking at perhaps as many as 900 public meetings during this time. In doing so we will reach 1 in 4 of all the villages in Slovakia, and we will be able to touch directly with a lot of people. I believe it will be very effective, because sometimes it is enough to just visit one pub in a village and talk to the people there, and then those people will spread the word to the whole village.
Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
Okay, we are running out of time, so two quick questions. Firstly, what did it feel like scoring the first goal in the football match this afternoon?
Dr. Robert Fico:
Yes, it was good. I was pleased!
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Slovakia - Heart of Europe:
And finally, will you be the next Prime Minister of Slovakia?
Dr. Robert Fico:
I don't think whether or not I become the next Prime Minister of Slovakia is the most important issue here. This is not why we are working so hard. I understand our function as trying to change something. I am more concerned in being part of a government that is stable and one that consists of a maximum of three political parties. If the government is very broad then there is no point in being the Prime Minister. Of course I want to be the next Prime Minister, but it has to be under the right conditions for Slovakia.
