EUROPEAN ELECTIONS IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC (2004–2019): BETWEEN WEST AND EAST

Abstract

The year 2024 will celebrate the 20th anniversary of Slovakia’s European membership. However, the country has continually displayed the lowest interest in European politics – the turnout in the European elections is only roughly 18%. Moreover, the Slovaks’ confidence level in the European Parliament ranges from 50% to 70%. The “Second-Order Elections” theory only partially accounts for the causes of the low turnout in “European elections”. The electoral differentiation between the western (capital) Bratislava region (preferences for liberals and social democrats) and the eastern Slovak Prešov region (Christian democrats and populist conservatives) showed differences in the European orientation of the Slovak voter. The results of four elections to the European Parliament (2004–2019) confirmed the electoral cleavage between the western and eastern regions. Since the powerful Slovak parties frequently vary in their level of Euro-optimism/Euro-pessimism to obtain more significant electoral benefits (ĽS-HZDS, SMER-SD, OĽaNO). To comprehend the nuances of Slovak voters’ electoral behaviour, it is reasonable to determine the public aspects of Euro-optimism/Euro-pessimism in Slovak regions at different geographical extremities. The students’ political socialization in the Bratislava and Prešov regions demonstrated the delegitimization of parties as political institutions and the highest level of mistrust in Slovak politicians. In this light, Slovak voters began to search for “new faces” in politics. The Prešov region displays unconditional trust for regional politicians (parties) (63%). According to the survey findings, we observe the disparity in confidence in social institutions: public organizations in Bratislava versus the church in Prešov.  We believe that the level of conservatism, rather than specific party ideologies, is the primary factor influencing individuals’ perceptions of European politics.