Trust me, I’m not a politician

Central Europe’s finest populist practices are on display in Slovakia.

Boris Kollár and Igor Matovič during the coalition talks in March 2020. Boris Kollár and Igor Matovič during the coalition talks in March 2020. (Source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)

When the government of Igor Matovič took over six months ago, the question of how it was going to steer the country over the rollercoaster ride of the coronavirus pandemic was the main concern. But not the only one.

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Assessing the improbable quartet that got together in March to form a government – ostensibly united to push back against corruption and promote transparency in public life – observers stressed that its leaders’ behaviour when faced with scrutiny would be just as important as any legislative steps they took. The trust of the public is especially fragile, and the far right is poised to grab power at the slightest chance.

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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.


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