Many Slovaks thought they had gotten authoritarian strongmen leaders out of their system when Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar lost his reelection bid in 1998. Almost twenty years later, the current Slovak government is led by former Communist Robert Fico, whose coalition government attacks independent media, starves independent culture of financing, and in televised rants and social media tirades accuses political opponents and Slovaks who didn't vote for him of progressive fascism and ideological terrorism.
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To understand what Fico's brand of take-no-prisoner politics means for Slovakia and its people, I spoke to a political scientist, an author/journalist and two women living in a small town.
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We start our journey around Slovakia in the passenger's seat of Diana's car, somewhere between
Revúca and Spišská Nová Ves in Central Slovakia. You met Diana in episode 1; now she's back due to popular demand. We then move to
Košice in the country's southeast, before making the long drive (when is that cross-country highway getting built?) to the capital,
Bratislava. Finally, we jump back into the car with Diana and Emma, one of the students Diana mentors.
Episode breakdown:
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- Intro segment: With politicians like this, what could possibly go wrong? with Diana Jacková
- Segment 1: Slovak stagnation and the ruse of social democracy, with political scientist Lukáš Jakabovič
- Segment 2: Progress and development? Not on Robert Fico's watch, with author, columnist and translator Samo Marec
- Outro segment: Double standards in politics, with Diana and Emma
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Episode soundtrack: Močí ďïovča konope (featuring Ženy z Muzičky) by
Folk&Bass Orchestra, a Slovak ensemble that combine folk sounds with electronic and jazz elements.
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As always, you can reach me with questions, comments or just to say "ahoj" by emailing jeff@centraleuropematters.eu.
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This episode was produced by Dávid Pál, and hosted and executive produced by me, Jeff Lugowe.
What is Central Europe Matters?
Welcome to a brand-new, narrative podcast about society, politics and democracy in the heart of Europe. Meet local activists, experts, journalists, artists and others struggling to make sense of what's happening in their countries and of the turbulent times we live in. Between democratic backsliding, far-right populism, the ongoing legacy of 20th century experiments in totalitarianism, and a strategically vital location on the doorstep of Russia and Ukraine, Central Europe is ground zero for the battle over the future of Europe.
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Host Jeff Lugowe draws on his academic study of the region at Brown and Harvard and his knowledge of Polish and Czech as he takes listeners on a journey around the big cities and forgotten corners of Central Europe.
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Season 1: Slovakia — Democracy under Attack launched August 12th. New episodes every Wednesday.
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Central Europe Matters is an independent, DIY narrative podcast hosted and started by Jeff and produced by Dávid Pál. It is generously supported by the EEA Civil Society Fund Slovakia.