Suchergebnisse

Abstract
This study examines the changing role of the EU agenda in Slovak politics. It identifies old and newly emerging faces of Euroscepticism and compares them with general theoretical concepts. Furthermore, it asks to what extent Eurosceptical appeals mobilised Slovak voters in the European Parliament (EP) elections of 2014 and whether Eurosceptical parties represent a meaningful electoral choice for voters. In the past, many analyses have provided evidence that the European agenda is not salient and the EU political arena is perceived as one where there is less at stake. Nevertheless, the economic crisis and so-called Greek bailout were followed by a rise in Euroscepticism and EU-criticism. In some EU countries, this enhanced voter mobilisation in the EP elections. In others – including Slovakia – we saw not only a significant decline in electoral turnout but relatively poor results for Eurosceptical parties as well. This study identifies the factors behind abstention and explores voting patterns in this specific second-order election in Slovakia. Moreover, it investigates how the parties are perceived in terms of their positions on EU integration and the potential impact on voter choices. I conclude that the EU agenda is still not the deciding factor for voters even in the case of EP elections. Eurosceptical appeals are less mobilising in this context, and the public sees no differences among parties' stances on the EU.

Der neue starke Mann der Slowakei heißt Robert Fico. Mit seiner Partei Smer ist es ihm bei den Wahlen im März 2012 gelungen, erstmals seit dem demokratischen Umbruch von 1989 eine Mehrheit zu erringen, die es erlaubt, eine Einparteienregierung zu bilden. In seiner ersten Amtszeit 2006-2010 hatte Fico eine linkspopulistische Politik betrieben. Nun gibt sich die Partei gewandelt. Es bleibt zu beobachten, ob Smer insbesondere bei den Themen Demokratie, Rechtsstaatlichkeit und Minderheitenschutz tatsächlich als sozialdemokratische Partei agieren wird. (Osteuropa (Berlin) / SWP)