Slovakia: Country of Many Paradoxes Building Bridges Paper Series
Slovakia might be perceived as a “latecomer” in preparing for EU accession only in the 1990s, but it caught up rapidly. Among its chief objectives was for Slovakians to achieve higher living standards and gain an external system of checks and balances, which would improve the country’s democratic processes and public administration.
The country today faces the “Slovak paradox”, a reflection of a high enthusiasm for the EU and very low participation in European elections. There is little discussion in Slovakia about the EU’s future and Slovakia’s role in it. Taking a utilitarian perspective of passive consumption of EU policies, the overarching narrative is “being part of” the EU, rather than “being” the EU.
A European Social Model would help further legitimise the EU in Slovakia as it is would aim to address the issues of unemployment and inefficiencies in public services and healthcare. Relatedly, a Fiscal Union with strong accountability mechanisms curries favour with Slovaks.