Next year looks to be one full of political events and anniversaries in Slovakia. In fact the very first day of the year marks not only 21 years since this country became independent, but also the 5th anniversary of the introduction of the euro as Slovakia’s official currency.
Praised by some for helping the economy to better fend off the economic crisis, and unloved by others for getting Slovakia into Greece’s dirty laundry, the euro has already formed part of the family picture in everybody’s wallets between the Danube and the Tatra Mountains.
February comes with hopes of finally obtaining an Olympic medal for the national Ice Hockey Team. The Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, might prove to be just the right place for success, with the condition that the local team stays out of Slovakia’s path until at least the semi-finals.
A medal will definitely be a nice present for the Slovak President Ivan Gašparovič, a big ice hockey fan, who finishes his mandate in 2014, and whose replacement will be known in March. The list of candidates has not been concluded yet, but judging from what it already contains, there is no shortage of hot favourites, including the current Prime Minister, a few MPs, a former businessman turned philanthropist, and a former Culture Minister. The first round of their battle takes place on March 15th.
May 1st marks the 10th anniversary of Slovakia’s entrance into the European Union. Many in Brussels wonder whether Slovaks will decide to celebrate the event by hitting the bottom again when it comes to the turnout in the election for the European Parliament, scheduled for May 24th.
A (potentially) hot summer will recreate the atmosphere of July 28th, 1914 when the Austro-Hungarian Empire-of which Slovakia was then a part of- issued a formal declaration of war against Serbia, opening the gate to the horrors of the First World War.
Autumn comes with...elections again. This time Slovaks will choose their mayors and representatives in local councils.
Radio Slovakia International, will be there to cover all these events for you, our dear listeners.
Happy New Year!
