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Fico: Smer Politicians Are Inheritors of Alexander Dubcek's Legacy
Friday 27 November 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, November 27 (TASR) - Smer-SD politicians are inheritors of Alexander Dubcek's ideas and intend to follow the legacy of this "patriot and European humanist" in the near future as well, said Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Friday at a ceremony marking the 88th anniversary of Dubcek's birthday.
Dubcek was the leader of the Prague Spring era in the 1960s and the first federal parliament speaker in post-communist Czechoslovakia. Fico emphasised his contribution to European social democracy. "He was a politician and statesman who expanded beyond Slovakia and Czechoslovakia," he said.
Fico pointed to a statement made by Austrian President Heinz Fischer: "It was the work of Alexander Dubcek that has helped to overcome discrimination against social democracy in historical heritage". The premier also mentioned the publication of 'Alexander Dubcek - Politician, Statesman, Humanist', which was authored by the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) and edited by Miroslav Peknik and Dubcek's long-term friend, historian Ivan Laluha. "They've collected valuable thoughts expressed at conferences in 2003 and 2006 by outstanding personalities of the domestic as well as European scene," said Fico.
Alexander Dubcek's son Pavol emphasised the lifelong beliefs of his father. "His creed was social justice for people, that's why he chose social democracy in 1989," he said, adding that he is disappointed by the attitude of some people who make his father out to be an enemy even years after his death. "They are various revolutionary democrats. But when the Russians ran the joint, they were silent," claimed Dubcek.
Dubcek was asked whether his father would be content with Slovak politics today. "I won't speak for him, but for myself. If 80 percent of people don't go out and vote in elections there seems to be some kind of problem. Slovaks are disappointed in their politicians, they see their greed and eagerness for power and morale is fading," he said.
Alexander Dubcek was born on November 27, 1921 in Uhrovec (Trencin region) and died following a car crash on November 7, 1992.
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