Matej Kandrik: Early elections will be an important test for Slovakia’s immediate future
21.01.2023
Matej Kandrik
Recent studies by European think tanks have shown a sad trend for Slovakia — dissatisfaction with EU membership, and moreover — the lowest level of support for Ukraine among the Visegrád Group states today. Why so and what to do about it, Newssky asked Matej Kandrik, the chief executive director of the Bratislava-based Adapt Institute (Slovakia) to comment.
Several public opinion polls recently showed distinctly different views of Slovak society compared to its neighbours. Comparatively, low levels of further support for Ukraine or negative perceptions of refugees are sad yet real sentiments. Poor education, nostalgia for the previous socialist regime, Pan-Slavism, the massive and long-term presence of pro-Russian disinformation, and a specific isolationist mindset (we don’t want anything from the world, the world shouldn’t want anything from us) can be named as important sources feeding such sentiments.
Also, a significant part of the political opposition is deliberately using narratives that whitewash Russia and blame Ukraine for the war. It is no surprise these political actors favour authoritarian government over democratic principles. This situation is alarming and worrisome. Upcoming early elections will be an important test of what political vision will define Slovakia in the coming years.
Maryna Kovalchuk, the Newssky’s own correspondent (Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland), V5 Media project leader, contributed
