Slovak News Back to the news
Analysts: Radicova's Victory in SDKU Primaries Brings Change
Sunday 28 February 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, February 28 (TASR) - Iveta Radicova's victory in the SDKU-DS party primaries in which she claimed top spot on the party's slate for the parliamentary elections in June is an expression of a certain amount of will to change things on the part of SDKU members, political analyst Juraj Marusiak told TASR on Sunday.
"SDKU-DS members made it clear that they are discontent with existing developments, and that they also simply realise that the party will gain much greater election and maybe also coalition potential (with Radicova)," said Marusiak. Despite this fact, Mikulas Dzurinda remains the chairman of the party and Radicova will have to find common ground with him. "Simply, if the party wants to succeed in the parliamentary elections, it will have to find a united strategy. The position of leader will surely not be an easy one," he warned.
Political analyst Miroslav Kusy also thinks that Radicova's victory mainly means change within the party. "(Radicova's opponent in the primaries, SDKU-DS vice-chair Ivan) Miklos clearly bet on the continuity of Dzurinda's concept," he said. According to Kusy, Radicova brings a change in the stance towards other parties. "She's willing to adopt wider scope in negotiations than Dzurinda was, and she is also willing to talk to Smer-SD after the elections. In this she's much more tolerant," he said.
According to Kusy, another positive aspect of the new SDKU election leader is her expertise in sociology, which is crucial during a crisis. He also expects a different tone from Miklos in controversies with coalition parties in the election campaign. "He would have use that attacking, aggressive tone. She has already shown in the political campaign that she goes for a more forthcoming, more understanding tone. She is willing to discuss in a matter-of-fact manner, without getting into personal invectives," said Kusy. According to him, Prime Minister Robert Fico won't be able to use that "vulgar, rude tone" against Radicova, as he would, for example, against Dzurinda or Miklos.
Kusy thinks that Radicova is well prepared for the campaign and that she will also learn a lesson from the past. "I think she already has some experience, she isn't a complete beginner", he said concerning the negotiations after the elections. Asked whether Radicova's victory could weaken Dzurinda's position within the party Kusy said that this has already taken place. "As he withdrew into seclusion and only remained in the chairman post without being able to enter politics directly, he has already lost his position," stated Kusy.
All rights reserved. Any publishing or further dissemination of press releases and photographs from TASR's resources without TASR's prior written approval constitutes a violation of the Copyrights Act.
