Iveta Radicova’s six priorities

Last week the program of Slovakia’s Prime Minister Iveta Radicova won support and got parliamentary approval. Presenting the program, the 53-year-old lady who has a Ph.D in sociology and is second in command at the Christian Democratic Union (SDKU), emphasized six priorities: (a) stable economic growth, (b) fighting corruption and bolstering rule of law, (c) bringing down unemployment and reducing social risks, (d) improving the business climate and supporting civil society, (e) raising individuals’ qualifications within an innovative society, and (f) expanding health care quality.

Iveta Radicova’s cabinet is made up of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (SDKU), the Christian Democrats (KDH), the liberal Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party, and the [mostly ethnic Hungarian] Most-Hid party. This coalition has 79 out of 150 seats in the Slovak Parliament. Her cabinet includes Foreign Minister Mikulas Dzurinda (ex-prime minister, SDKU leader); Minister of Finance Ivan Miklos; Minister of Interior Daniel Lipsic (SDKU); Minister of Defense Lubomir Galko (SaS).

How are Slovaks responding to the center-right cabinet’s action program? Will this have any effect on Slovak-Ukrainian relations? More on this in the following interview with Grigorij MESEZNIKOV, president, Institute for Public Affairs, Bratislava. 

“This program is still being presented in parliament [Den carried this article on Aug. 11, 2010. — Ed.], but I think the parliament will approve it and the [new] government will have its vote of confidence. I’d like to point out that this country’s socioeconomic course is being altered. This government will be more transparent, it will combat corruption and unemployment, and offer more room for market economy vehicles. Naturally, the emphasis will be on a stronger scientific and technological potential, better education, and social progress relying on well-educated communal members. It is true that we’re faced with an extremely complicated situation, considering that the previous government left this country in lamentable economic condition. Our [budget] deficit had reached seven percent GDP, well above the EU limit of three percent. Add here an increase in the public debt and inflation rate. Like I said, the situation is very complicated, but this government will do their best to cope with it.”

Does Slovak society support the new government’s action plan?

“Our society is displaying a cautious attitude. You see, the parties that helped form this government favored sharp spending reductions. As a result, people fear that social programs will be curbed. I’d be hard put to sum all this up, yet I believe that our society is showing a cautiously optimistic attitude to the new cabinet’s program. On the one hand, Slovaks expect the new cabinet to improve the economic situation. On the other hand, they fear that this will be done by reducing budget allocations for social programs. I think these fears are justified. The fact remains that the previous government spent a lot, especially on election campaigns. Fico’s cabinet stepped down, leaving Slovakia with what the new government describes as an empty purse. Indeed, Fico and his cabinet members had problems collecting taxes, producing a central budget income gap.”

Richard Duran, one of your colleagues, said in an interview with CTK that the right-wing government’s action plan contains more specific proposals aimed at overcoming the negative consequences of the global financial crisis in the Slovak economy, compared to that of Iveta Radicova’s right-center cabinet. Would you care to comment on this?

“He has a point there, but there is a difference between the situation in the Czech Republic and that in Slovakia, just as their residents show a varying degree of readiness for radical moves. This explains the difference between the rhetoric we’ve heard from the leaders of both countries. The Slovak cabinet’s action plan is largely the same as the Czech one. You have to bear in mind that the most radical Slovak reforms were carried out in 2002-06. The Czech Republic has less room for maneuvering, and some of the radical reforms never took place there. This is something the Czech government will have to deal with on a priority basis. The Czech population appears to be better prepared for reductions in budget appropriations in the social sphere. Our formulations are milder, but I think that the Czech and Slovak programs are basically the same.”

How do you feel about your government’s decision to stay away from the default relief program in Greece?

“This was the stand our political parties took before the election campaign. They didn’t see it as the right move, considering that Greece and the European Union made a number of mistakes. I’m not ruling out the possibility of our government eventually changing its position. By the way, the Greek experience did help our right-wing parties on their way to victory. They used it as a risk factor, saying this country will find itself in the same position as Greece, if the leftist government remains in office.”

Would you describe the stand taken by Radicova’s cabinet in overcoming the crisis? Is it European, as proposed by Germany, with spending limitations, or the American one — boosting the economy with financial injections?

“European, most likely, considering the economic side. Boosting the economy could be considered after solving the pressing problems. We have a seven percent budget deficit. This is huge, considering that three years back it was only three percent. I believe that Slovakia will pay heed to European rather than US recommendations.”

Media reports have it that Radicova’s cabinet will increase the Slovak peacekeeping contingent in Afghanistan from 300 to 400 officers, while some [NATO member] countries withdraw their peacekeeping units.

“That was the previous cabinet’s decision. The new one is more West-minded, pro-Atlantic. Given this attitude, I don’t think this government will have any special problems securing this line, honoring NATO membership commitments. Budget appropriations will be in order, of course.”

Russia’s press says Slovakia is no longer the Kremlin’s friend, not after this cabinet came to power.

“It’s true that the new Slovak cabinet isn’t as Russia-minded [as the previous one]. You won’t hear equivocal statements, the kind made under Prime Minister Fico. The new government has canceled the full-gauge railroad project. I think their readiness to collaborate with the West will be made clearer and Slovakia’s relations with Russia will focus on the pragmatic, mutually advantageous issues. I can’t think of any ideological hesitation in this department.”

Will the new government change Slovak-Ukrainian relationships in any way?

“Yes, I think we’ll stop supporting Ukraine’s NATO membership stand, because we can see that your government isn’t actually moving in this direction. Our relations with Ukraine will be limited in this sphere. Instead, our support of Ukraine’s EU membership will be more manifest. Slovakia will continue to encourage domestic reforms, upgrading democracy in Ukraine, supporting its EU membership efforts. This goes without saying, the more so that this meets the main clauses of [Slovakia’s] foreign political doctrine. This country is interested in having Ukraine as a reliable, stable democratic partner trying to gain membership to an organization of which Slovakia is a member.”