Presidential Elections 2004

[Caid Ivik]

So, one old commie on the head ends and tommorow we can await a next one. Eleven candidates have entered the row, from them about six have practical chance to success to the second round, if no other will reach 50% in the first one, quota needed to reach the halls of Grassalkovich's Palace. Let's make a little overview.

Eduard KUKAN

Candidate of ruling party SDKU and its premier Dzurinda, with support of liberal coalition partner ANO, whose candidate abstained. In diplomacy since the communist era, what many see as his main flaw, as he left the Party just in 1989. However, he has made many deeds for Slovakia last six years as minister for foreign affairs, aura as "one, who brought us from Meciar-era isolation" works perfect, as well as strong reputation of his party between merchants. Wise man with charisma of old friend. Religiosically an atheist. He started the propagation campaign as first in summer 2003, now media expect about 15-30% votes for him.

Frantisek MIKLOSKO

Candidate of KDH, christian democrats, supported by native hungarian party SMK. So of the next half of ruling coalition. Active in anticommunist dissent and then one of the leading characters of 1989 revolution. Then he grounded with some others KDH, where he had no true function, but had a control of it as "gray emminence". Some say he would be better grandmaster of masonic lodge than a president, others that he should spare himself for prime ministry. A perfect strategist, and yet with great sense of humor - and contacts anywhere worldwide. Estimated support is around 5-15%.

Ivan GASPAROVIC

Candidate of most nationalistic parties, which allied on him with few smaller leftist ones, including his HZD. Former right hand of Meciar, he tries to show himself as new hope with experience, as he was in Meciar's era on the head of parliament. Has enough intelligence, but sometimes seems to underestimate enemies and overestimate himself. In parliament he once forgot to shut off the microphone and told to one of his aides that he has to meet with "stary chuj" (old dick), with whom he ment Michal Kovac, who was a president then... For short period he was in Communist Party, but had to leave it after russian intervention in 1968. Diplomatical errors are forgotten and now he looks seriously. He is an evangelic. Support might be around 5-20%.

Martin BUTORA

An independent candidate with support of many intellectuals and cultural persons, alongside with smaller centrorightist "club" parties like OKS and SF. Originally a psychologist, active in anticommunist dissent. Co-founder of VPN, first strong democratical party after 1989, then advisor of last czechoslovak president Havel. After parting he worked in diplomacy, last five years he made great successes as our ambassador in USA. Some people, however, see him for it as some kind of american pawn. Serious thinker, which I think has plan for everything. His son publices in Radio Liberty. Others don't like his jewish origin, altough he is a baptized catholic. Media estimate for him 5-10%, who looked at my site (www.imperium.nazory.cz), knows for who I will vote  ;)

Rudolf SCHUSTER

Ruling president, candidating independently, but with strong support of worker unions, SMER party and communists. In communist era he had a strong voice in Party in eastern Slovakia, where he was also long time a mayor of our second largest city Kosice. In 1998, with fall of Meciar, he was supported by whole new ruling coalition and took the presidency in first popular vote for this post. Megalomaniac, yet strongly believing in socialist ideals, harvesting results of social problems after hardcore economic reforms made by last government. As a native half-german, his presidency put good results in many talks with Germany and Austria. In 2000 he had some health problems, which brought enigmas about his ability to carry the presidency, but he seems to be ready for action now. He even declared himself a catholic. Estimated votes: 10-25%.

Vladimir MECIAR

Candidate of his (and DO NOT even think it may be another one's!) party HZDS. For short time he was in Communist Party before russian tanks stopped reforms in 1968. After revolution he joined VPN, then he found the HZDS and led it soon to victory and following parting of Czechoslovakia to two separate states. His governments were, however, stigmatized by abuse of secret police, clientelism, censorship and spreading of mafia, mostly of ukrainian and jugoslavian origin, which made strong ties with his minions. Slovakia was until his fall in 1998 abolished from EU and NATO integration process. As some of his practices are now used by ruling premier Dzurinda as well, while even the social situation became worse somewhere, he turned to a strong criticizer. He has a powerful charisma of "Father of land". Catholic. His support is equal to support of his party, about 15-30%.

[Caid Ivik]

It seems it's worse than anyone could think. Meciar and Gasparovic passed to second row.

V.MECIAR - 32.73%

I.GASPAROVIC - 22.28%

E.Kukan - 22.09%

R.Schuster - 7.42%

F.Miklosko - 6.51%

M.Butora - 6.51%

J.Kralik - 0.79%

J.Kalman - 0.51%

J.Kubik - 0.38%

J.Sestak - 0.34%

S.Bernat - 0.28%

presence: 47.94%

[HasimirFenring]

"presence: 47.94%"

Is this lower than usual, and is it generally higher in the second round?

[Caid Ivik]

It's less than half of population, that's a very small number. And according to composition of candidate list in second round I expect there would be even less.

[Dunenewt]

According to my paper, Merciar is a West-hating Autocrat.

[Caid Ivik]

I can't say he is west-hating. He is a nationalist, but also a pragmatic. West criticized his ruling style during 1994-1998 and for it abolished our tries to join NATO and EU. However, now he declares that he always wanted to join them. But for autocrat, I myself wouldn't be able to find a more suitable word.

[Edric O]

Perhaps the incompetent leaders of Slovakia should stop whining "OMG, how could the people not vote for us?" and start looking at the failure of their own policies. The vote for Meciar was a vote of desperation, against the economic reforms of the current ruling coalition (which have pushed many Slovakians into poverty).

And perhaps the international media should try to be at least a little less biased. I would have expected them to maintain at least some semblance of objectivity - but instead, every major newspaper seems to say "Meciar is evil". It almost feels like in a totalitarian system, with all the media saying the same thing and with no dissent to speak of.

[Caid Ivik]

No, voting base of Meciar/HZDS is same from 1998, still around one million. His party is like a sect, just they are disciplined voters, what about second half of population cannot be said. Raise Ceausescu from the dead and then try to be "objective" about him. But see ie Novy Den, there is enough adore for him.