JÁN SLOTA, the chairman of the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) and a member of the ruling coalition in Slovakia, yesterday handed over the city emblem of Žilina to its newly elected mayor, Ivan Harman of the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union.
Slota has served as mayor of Žilina for the last 16 years. During the official ceremony held on January 1, however, he said that he felt "no envy, no bitterness" at losing the post.
"I have no negative feelings, life goes on," Slota said, according to the Pravda daily.
Several newly elected city councilors, however, welcomed the departure of Slota after his long control of Žilina city hall.
The new Žilina council will be dominated by right-wing councilors. Of the total 31 seats, the right-wing coalition has 18, while Slota's SNS has only 6.