The Movement for a Democratic Slovakia ( Slovak : Hnutie za demokratické Slovensko , HZDS ), later known as the People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia ( Slovak : Ľudová strana – Hnutie za demokratické Slovensko , ĽS–HZDS ), was a populist political party in Slovakia . The party is commonly considered as having been authoritarian and illiberal .
17-567: During 1992–1998, HDZS was the leading party of the government, led by Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar . The party rule was characterized by a fundamental violation of civil liberties, rule of law and a halt to post-communist economic reforms, European integration . After 1998 parliamentary election , the party remained in opposition for two terms still as the strongest party. In opposition, HZDS moved its positions from Euroscepticism to pro-Europeanism and joined European Democratic Party , although it did not profess EDP's liberal ideology. In
34-637: A Democratic Slovakia' (ĽS-HZDS) to try to achieve membership of the European People's Party (EPP). However, lingering memories of former anti-Europeanism, conflicting rhetoric, and the presence of three Slovak parties already in the EPP prevented this. The ĽS-HZDS then looked to the Euro-integrationist European Democratic Party , which it joined in 2009. The build-up to the 2002 election saw Mečiar exclude
51-460: A caretaker with limited powers. The prime minister is the most powerful state office since he commands and presides over the government. Although it is not the prime minister but the president who appoints ministers in Cabinet, the president appoints ministers on the prime minister's advice. Designated Prime Minister of Slovakia ( Slovak : designovaný predseda vlády ) is an unofficial title for
68-531: A more decentralised Czechoslovak confederation. On 7 May 1992, the HZDS voted for a declaration of independence , but this was defeated 73-57. At the first election in which it took part, on 5–6 June, the HZDS won an overwhelming victory, with 74 seats on the National Council : two short of an absolute majority. Mečiar was appointed prime minister on 24 June. Whereas the HZDS wanted a confederation,
85-420: A number of prominent members from the party's list of candidates. Several of the excluded members, led by Ivan Gašparovič , split from the party and founded the similarly titled Movement for Democracy (HZD). The new party won 3.3% of the vote, eating significantly into the ĽS-HZDS's position, and contributing to it winning only 36 seats. By 2006, further divisions and splits had reduced it to only 21 MPs. In
102-464: A person who has been entrusted by the president of the Slovak Republic with forming a new government and replacing the outgoing prime minister. This title, as well as the authorization of the president to entrust the designated prime minister, is not set by an act but is a legal or, more precisely, constitutional tradition. According to this tradition, the president designates a person who has
119-676: A three-party centre-left populist coalition. Originally the election was planned for 16 September 2006. However, on 8 February the government proposed calling an early election after the Christian Democratic Movement left the coalition government. This proposal was passed by the Parliament on 9 February and signed by the President on 13 February. For the first time Slovak citizens living abroad could vote, using absentee ballots . A total of 21 parties contested
136-476: Is a parliamentary republic , the prime minister is accountable to the National Council. The Slovak Constitution provides that upon the accession to the office, each prime minister must gain and thereafter maintain the confidence of the Parliament. When the prime minister loses confidence, the president must dismiss him and designate a new prime minister or entrust the dismissed prime minister to act as
153-513: The 2006 parliamentary election , the party dropped to 5th place and became a junior partner in the Fico's First Cabinet . In 2010 parliamentary election the party did not exceed the electoral threshold narrowly for the first time, and this was repeated in 2012 , when it won less than 1%. In 2014, HZDS officially dissolved and designated the Party of Democratic Slovakia as the successor. The party
170-470: The Czech elections on the same day were won by Civic Democratic Party , which preferred a tighter federation. Recognising that these positions were irreconcilable, the National Council voted for Slovakia's Declaration of Independence by 113 votes to 24, and Mečiar concluded formal negotiations over the dissolution of Czechoslovakia . The party adopted an economically populist position, and sought to slow
187-580: The chairman of the government of the Slovak Republic ( Slovak : Predseda vlády Slovenskej republiky ), commonly referred to in Slovakia as Predseda vlády or informally as Premiér , is the head of the government of the Slovak Republic . Officially, the officeholder is the third-highest constitutional official in Slovakia after the president of the Republic (appointer) and chairman of
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#1732780354959204-482: The parliamentary election of 17 June 2006 , the party won 8.8% of the popular vote and 15 out of 150 seats. Two ĽS-HZDS ministers were sworn in with the Robert Fico government on July 4, 2006: In the 2010 election the party lost all its seats, after its share of the vote halved to below the 5% threshold for entering parliament. Prime Minister of Slovakia The prime minister of Slovakia , officially
221-399: The National Council ; in practice, the appointee is the country's leading political figure. Since the office was created in 1969, fifteen different people have served as head of government. Since 1993, when Slovakia gained independence, nine people have occupied the function. On 25 October 2023, Robert Fico became the prime minister of Slovakia. The office of the prime minister of Slovakia
238-514: The post-Soviet privatisation and liberalisation . In the first elections after independence, in late 1994, the HZDS retained its dominant position, winning 58 seats (the Peasant's Party of Slovakia won a further 3 on its list). Originally designating itself as a centre-left party, the party moved towards the mainstream right and, in March 2000, renamed itself the 'People's Party – Movement for
255-490: The support of the majority of deputies in the National Council . 2006 Slovak parliamentary election Mikuláš Dzurinda SDKÚ–DS Robert Fico Smer Parliamentary elections were held in Slovakia on 17 June 2006. Direction – Social Democracy emerged as the largest party in the National Council , winning 50 of the 150 seats. Its leader Robert Fico was appointed Prime Minister on 4 July 2006, leading
272-474: Was created as a Slovak nationalist faction of Public Against Violence (VPN), from which it seceded at an extraordinary VPN congress on 27 April 1991. Called 'Movement for a Democratic Slovakia' (HZDS), it was led by Vladimír Mečiar , who had been deposed as Slovak Prime Minister a month earlier, and composed mostly of the VPN's cabinet members. The HZDS claimed to represent Slovak national interest, and demanded
289-717: Was established in 1969 by the Constitutional Act on the Czechoslovak Federation . A similar office had existed from 1918 when various officials were presiding over executive bodies governing the Slovak part of Czechoslovakia or the Slovak State respectively. Since 1993, when the independent Slovak Republic was established, nine persons have held the office. Since 25 October 2023, the prime minister of Slovakia has been Robert Fico . Since Slovakia
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