Media should be free and diverse, not a geopolitical tool

Slovakia ranks 12th in the annual global ranking of press freedom; Central Europe fare less well.

Slovaks have last laugh with change to Czechia

“Slovakia” just rolls off the tongue when you were used to saying, “Czechoslovakia”, but what did you leave behind for your friends next door?

The game is rigged

If capital can move freely between companies and across borders, people must be able to do the same.

A reflection of reality

Like it or not, this is where Slovakia stands in 2016 – and the government reflects that.

Human traffickers are not the reason for migration

Comparison of migration in the 19th century and today reveals surprising similarities

Election 2016: One week later

When the prime minister tells you that the economy is doing great, but your own life is not getting better, anger ensues.

Extreme measures

Slovakia is officially a mature democratic system, one where voters appear just as discouraged with pretty much everything as everybody everywhere else.

Fico is to campaigning what Messi is to football

Frantic activity is meant to conceal systemic problems that have festered for years with no attention.

Right is wrong

In Western Europe and the United States, it is increasingly fashionable to criticise the Visegrad countries for deviating from norms of liberal democracy.

Spending on domestic security

How strong is Fico’s record on security matters?

Riding the carousel

THE TRUTH is important and the recent allegations that connect both the interior and transport ministers to a massive tax fraud scheme have not been proven.

Gov't ignores chance to upgrade energy sector

Monopolistic business interests and state intervention prevent investment in renewable energy sources, improved efficiency and smart grid technology. They block the country from accessing free money that would make energy cheaper, cleaner and more efficient.

Slovaks are not afraid of migrants

Prime Minister Fico has used the migrant crisis to bolster his standing ahead of March elections, but Slovaks are more concerned about economic issues.

Predictions for 2016

It’s the New Year and everything is possible. In Slovakia, the first quarter of the year will almost entirely focus on the March parliamentary elections, and the second half will see the country in the European spotlight as Brussels diplomats, bureaucrats and journalists bring their traveling circus to Bratislava as part of the EU Council presidency. In the meantime, here are some predictions about the year to come in domestic, European and international affairs:

Helping Central Europe help itself

For the past seven years, central and eastern Europe’s foreign policy establishment has been critical of US President Barack Obama’s approach to region.

Campaign season

NEARLY every move the current Smer government now makes is criticised as targeting the March parliamentary elections. There are plenty of reasons to oppose the content what Smer does, but attacking them for campaigning during a campaign is a waste of time, and an indication of why they are almost certain to win the election.

Are media to be blamed?

THOUGH the rhetoric surrounding the European migration crisis certainly gives the impression otherwise, there is little sign that Central and Eastern Europeans are any more racist than their Western European counterparts. Media in the CEE region, however, almost certainly is.

Missing the goal

IMAGINE Slovan Bratislava’s football stadium filled to capacity before two more people are let in. Would those in the stadium even notice the difference?

V4 knows what it's against, but not what it's for