A new president
Eastern approaches 2014-06-19
Summary:
ANDREJ KISKA, Slovakia’s new president, was sworn on June 15th. If his first day in office is any indication the tenor of the presidency is about to change—and perhaps the tone of the country’s politics too.
Inauguration day saw supportive crowds, rather than the protesters who turned up for his predecessor, cheer Mr Kiska. He later made the rounds shaking hands. Among his guests for lunch were senior citizens, orphans and the homeless. Mr Kiska criticised the culture of corruption in the country and the overall negative political atmosphere in his first speech as president several times. “The public sphere is now dominated by selfishness, nepotism, political affiliation, strong elbows and cynicism,” he said.
More significant though is the role Mr Kiska could play as a check on the otherwise dominant Smer party and Robert Fico, the prime minister. The presidential office has little formal power, but it has significant potential to mobilise public opinion. Should Mr Kiska wield the bully pulpit he would be markedly different from his...Continue reading