Signal for Moderation The 2010 Parliamentary Election in Slovakia

In the first half of 2010, the politics of East Central Europe changed track. After the Hungarians and the Czechs, the Slovaks also elected a new parliament in mid-June. In these difficult times, Slovak voters have given a clear signal for moderation. The nationalist SNS suffered clear losses, their Hungarian counterpart, the SMK, failed to clear the 5-percent hurdle necessary to enter parliament. The leftwing-populist Smer party did indeed achieve a good result, but it lacks a coalition partner. The winners are the centre-right parties and the moderate representatives of the Hungarian minority. Together, they are betting on budget consolidation and a de-escalation of the conflict with neighbouring Hungary.