Slovakia » Politics

Slovakia was part of Czechoslovakia until the "velvet divorce" in January 1993 when it emerged as one of the newest European states.With the fall of communism came in many changes, like the liberalization of media and today Slovakia has a stale democratic government. The constitution of Slovakia guarantees freedom of expression and the press.  In the initial years after independence Vladimir Meciar’s government received criticism for not delivering equal minority rights. He formed several governments with coalition but did not succeed. In 1998 he was replaced with another coalition lead by Mikulas Dzurinda. During his tenure he introduced economic reforms in Slovakia that won him appreciation and an increase in foreign investments.

Ivan Gasparovic in April 2004 defeated former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar. He has the credit of being the first president of Slovakia to win re-election. Mr Robert Fico’s coalition government formed along with three parties has 85 seats. Mr Fico stresses on the need for social welfare measures. He was the one behind the decision to call back Slovak troops from Iraq believing it to be an unjust war.

The political system of Slovak Republic is a parliamentary democracy type. The prime minister of Slovakia is the head of the government and leader of the largest party in parliament. He has the executive authority. President of Slovakia is the head of the state. The role of Slovak President is more formal and he has limited powers. The president is elected by direct popular vote and he serves the country for a period of five years.

Slovakia has a multi-party system. Slovakia has a single chamber parliament with 150 members. The members of the parliament are representatives elected in democratic elections that are held after every four years. Slovak judiciary is independent of both the executive and the legislature.

The serving  president is Ivan Gasparovic and  Robert Fico  is the Prime Minister of Slovakia. The next presidential elections are to be held in 2014.