The Trnava wing of the HZDS party is backing Viliam Veteška against Vladimír Mečiar for the leadership. No surprise there, as Trnava party head Tibor Mikuš has been in Veteška's corner for years. But Mečiar has always had a problem in Trnava from the days when Vladimir Póor led the region (and after 1999 became a sponsor of Robert Fico's Smer party). It would thus not be surprising to find that Smer was behind Veteška's candidacy. For Smer's business backers, Mečiar is not a coalition ally but a coalition problem.
Mečiar never forgets or forgives a betrayal, which is why he blocked Smer's (Póor's) nominees to the state railways company, and required that his own people be given positions that couldn't be circumvented. The HZDS has applied the same principle to all state companies administered by Smer or its business backers.
Even though Veteška has almost no chance, Mečiar did not underestimate his opponent. On the weekend he announced he would not seek to change party statutes to weaken the position of local and regional party functionaries, which had been a sore spot. Mečiar will win, but it will be a petty victory. Those who left the HZDS long ago and took shelter in Smer are much better off.
Pravda, May 14
Author: Dag Daniš
