Slovakia: Slovakia's leftist Smer party promised a radical break with economic reforms yesterday after winning an election that showed voters' fatigue with the tough changes made during eight years of centre-right rule.
Smer, led by populist Robert Fico, faces a struggle to form a coalition government after failing to win a majority in Saturday's parliamentary election, the first since the former communist nation joined the European Union and Nato in 2004.
Official results showed Smer won 29.1 per cent of votes and reformist prime minister Mikulas Dzurinda's party secured 18.4 per cent. Weeks of coalition talks are now likely and Mr Dzurinda could stay in power if Mr Fico fails to find any partners. The talks are likely to decide the fate of reforms which won plaudits abroad and transformed the landlocked nation of 5.4 million people into one of Europe's fastest-growing economies, but left unemployment high and proved painful for many.
The talks could also determine whether Slovakia adopts the euro single currency in 2009 as planned.
"Fast economic growth will no longer be for the benefit of a narrow group of people," Mr Fico told cheering supporters at Smer's headquarters before they burst into the national anthem.
"We want a centre or centre-left government that will establish solidarity and reduce the differences that have grown between economic groups because of eight years of Dzurinda's reforms." Leftist president Ivan Gasparovic said he would meet party leaders today. He is then likely to ask Mr Fico to form a government.
Mr Fico signalled he will try to woo centre-right parties traditionally allied to Mr Dzurinda, rather than approach fringe groups such as the far-right Nationalist Party which came third with 11.7 per cent of votes.
Mr Fico vowed to respect Slovakia's target of adopting the euro on January 1st, 2009, but added that "in case it's not favourable for the country, we could think about revising it".
Foreign investment and wages have risen under Mr Dzurinda, but Mr Fico cashed in on discontent with high unemployment - now 11 per cent - and healthcare and pension reforms that cut benefits. "Smer won the support of people who read in the papers how Slovakia is a great economic leader, but their pockets are empty. And so they say, 'to hell with Dzurinda and his reforms'," said Samuel Abraham, a political scientist.
Smer will have 50 seats in the 150-seat parliament, compared to 31 for Mr Dzurinda's Democratic and Christian Union.
Ex-prime minister Vladimir Meciar, whose centre-left party won 8.8 per cent of votes, could emerge as a kingmaker if Mr Fico or Mr Dzurinda have to turn to fringe parties. His authoritarian rule was blamed for Slovakia's international isolation in the 1990s. - (Reuters)