Simple wishes in complicated times

The rage, the disappointment and the fear linger. How are we to cope with them in the new year?

When future historians of Slovakia look back at this year, they are likely to highlight the rage and the disappointment that various groups in Slovak society have expressed on various levels.When future historians of Slovakia look back at this year, they are likely to highlight the rage and the disappointment that various groups in Slovak society have expressed on various levels. (Source: SITA)

Back in January, when The Slovak Spectator predicted the events that were likely to unfold in 2016, we did not forecast the election of the far-right to parliament.

Yet the continued rise of extremism has become the political issue of the past year (and, needless to say, not only in Slovakia) – even more so than the correctly predicted fall in support for Smer, which entered 2016 as the sole ruling party and ended the year with its support in opinion polls at almost half the level it enjoyed in 2012.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

SkryťTurn off ads

In the context of the political changes that 2016 brought to the UK, the US and the atmosphere in Slovakia’s neighbouring states and beyond, the ever-stronger applause for the extreme right and for the array of anti-system cranks trying their luck in politics is hardly surprising, but still worrying.

When future historians of Slovakia look back at this year, they are likely to highlight the rage and the disappointment that various groups in Slovak society have expressed on various levels.

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

Stock image.

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad