NOT ONLY public opinion surveys but also political scientists confirm that voters in Slovakia are not sufficiently informed about the importance of regional governments and that is why their turnout in the regional elections, which will be held on November 26.
Grigorij Meseznikov of the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) and Pavel Haulík from the MVK market research agency share the opinion that fewer people will participate in the regional elections this year than in 2001.
In 2001, the first elections to regional governments were held in Slovakia and the voter turnout was 26 percent.
"Every point above 20 percent would be a success," said Haulík for the SITA news agency.
Grigorij Meseznikov thinks that the public do not ascribe much importance to regional governments. People are unaware of the fact that they decide on regional education, healthcare facilities, local taxes and that their budgets amounting to several billion crowns.
Haulík added that one of the reasons why people show little interest in regional elections is their disillusionment with politics.
Compiled by Beata Balogová from press reports
TheSlovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the informationpresented in its Flash News postings.
