Re: "Schuster 'powers' debunked by experts", By Martina Pisárová, Vol. 8 No. 24, June 24-30, 2002
I wonder if there's anything else in this story except for an expert dispute over whether the president (and I'm not sure whether the mere fact it's Mr. Schuster does not have an impact on what the experts have to say on the issue) has the right to say it's within his 'constitutional powers' to influence the outcome of fall elections.
If [the power is] not expressed exactly in the constitution, then he shouldn't have put it that way. But is this technical detail enough for a story? Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Schuster's powers of oratory are rather limited and should be taken with a grain of salt, it has to be noted that he has clearly stated his will to support Slovakia's integration ambitions. I don't really think it's such a grave matter whether he was or wasn't right in saying that he is legally entitled to do this or that regarding the formation of the new government.
I'm not trying to doubt the real value of the president's powers in this regard, but I seek more information in a newspaper than just bickering between two or more people, which is often the case of today's press in Slovakia. The general frustrations of the Slovak people are understandable, but should these frustrations affect the media and other means of communication and social life, the mindset will hardly change for the better.
The Slovak Spectator has always been brighter in its views on Slovakia than the purely mass-serving media. Please, don't get dragged down to the level of what the others do.
Ivan
