ELDR Focus Year

The people of the Slovak Republic on 12th June 2010 elected a new liberal political party SaS - Sloboda a Solidarita (Freedom and Solidarity) to their national parliament, gaining 22 out of 150 mandates. Since founding the party only in 2009, it has become the third largest party in the parliament and the second largest in the government, becoming part of the new coalition, strengthening the center-right political spectrum within the government. The presence of the SaS party in the government will make it possible for making economic and social reforms possible in the forthcoming election term. The party chairman Richard Sulík, who is the author of the Slovak flat tax, which brought a significant economic growth in Slovakia, together with other political leaders and experts will make every effort to fulfill their pre-election promises and implement all coalition agreements as well.

"Young liberals throughout Europe welcome the outcome of the Slovak elections. Liberalism has a lot to offer to central and eastern EU member states. Economic and personal freedoms combined with individual responsibility are the driving forces to modernize our continent and to have an open and competitive society. Therefore, we congratulate SaS and the Young Liberals Slovakia to their impressive election results and welcome their aim to reform the country!" comments Alexander Plahr, the Pesident of the European Liberal Youth LYMEC.

"The dream of the Slovak liberals came true and they have a serious representation in our Parliament. We strongly appreciate that the young people contributed to a positive change in our country" comments Richard Švihura, the chairman of the Young Liberals Slovakia.

"After four long years of leftist and socialist administration, the Slovak citizens voted for a change and with it transferred the responsibility to the new government, which is obliged to restart the economy, deal with corruption and a lack of transparency in order to revitalise the judicial system. The Young Liberals were intensively participating in the party organisation and campaigning, which reflected in two young liberals obtaining a mandate in our Parliament (Richard Švihura – president, Stanislav Fořt – general secretary). I am confident that they will not forget where they come from and will support the young liberal population henceforward." states Pavol Szabo, international officer of Young Liberals Slovakia.