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Author Topic: Slovakia could elect its 1st female head of state  (Read 629 times)

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Offline TomSea

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Slovakia could elect its 1st female head of state
« on: March 30, 2019, 10:56:30 am »
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Slovakia could elect its 1st female head of state
Voters in Slovakia are selecting a new head of state in a runoff that could give the country its first female president


(The Associated Press) In this file photo taken on Friday, March 15, 2019, a man walks past a campaign poster for Zuzana Caputova in Bratislava, Slovakia. Slovakia could get its first woman president as voters elect a new head of state on Saturday March 30. The leading contenders are Zuzana Caputova, an environmental activist who is in favor of gay rights and opposes a ban on abortion in this conservative Roman Catholic country, and Maros Sefcovic, an establishment figure who is the European Commission Vice-President. The poster reads: "Let's stand against evil, together we can make it."(AP Photo/Petr David Josek/File)

By The Associated Press BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Mar 30, 2019 3:04 AM

Voters in Slovakia are selecting a new head of state in a runoff that could give the country its first female president.

Zuzana Caputova, an environmental activist, is up against European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic in the vote for the largely ceremonial post in the nation of 5.4 million.

Caputova won the first round two week ago with 40.6 percent of the vote while Sefcovic was a distant second with 18.7 percent.

Read more at: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/slovakia-elect-1st-female-head-state-62054397
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Offline TomSea

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Re: Slovakia could elect its 1st female head of state
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2019, 11:10:07 am »
From what I understand, a journalist and his girlfriend investigating corruption or tax evasion in Slovakia were murdered in the past 2 years.  So, this was quite a change apparently from what Slovakia has been use to. One hears about these things happening in other countries but not there. The people rose up and protested and the ruling government stepped down over the protests which is remarkable. One might check the details but one article said this woman, Caputova is bucking the "populist trend" in Europe and the world at that. So, this means, she may well lean left. Anyway, accompanying stories. I don't think they found the government responsible for the killings nor anyone from Slovakia itself, it was a paid hit job, they still may be working on it.

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Journalist covering tax evasion in Slovakia killed along with his girlfriend
Prime minister announces reward of 1 million euros for help finding those responsible
The Associated Press · Posted: Feb 26, 2018 12:53 PM ET | Last Updated: February 26, 2018

A Slovak investigative reporter and his girlfriend were shot dead in their home in an attack likely linked to his reporting on tax evasion, Slovakia's top police official said Monday.

The bodies of 27-year-old Jan Kuciak and his partner were found on Sunday evening in their house in the town of Velka Maca, east of the capital, Bratislava, national police force president Tibor Gaspar said.

Police went to the house at the request of a worried family member.

Read more at: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/tax-evasion-reporter-shot-killed-slovakia-1.4552153

And the candidate:

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Anti-graft campaigner tipped to win Slovakia run-off vote
[Reuters]
Reuters•March 21, 2019


FILE PHOTO: Slovakia's presidential candidate Zuzana Caputova speaks after the first unofficial results at a party election headquarters in Bratislava, Slovakia, March 16, 2019. REUTERS/David W Cerny/File Photo

...

Pro-European, liberal Caputova won the first round with 40.6 percent, decisively ahead of the candidate backed by the ruling Smer party, European Union commissioner Maros Sefcovic with 18.7 percent.

The run-off is set for March 30.

Caputova has campaigned to end what she calls the capture of the state "by people pulling strings from behind," a message resonating with younger, educated voters, according to polls.

Continued at: https://news.yahoo.com/anti-corruption-campaigner-tipped-win-slovakias-presidential-run-153336411--business.html

« Last Edit: March 30, 2019, 11:11:29 am by TomSea »
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Offline Fishrrman

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Re: Slovakia could elect its 1st female head of state
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2019, 11:46:48 pm »
Doesn't sound like the Slovakians have very good choices this time around.
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Offline TomSea

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Re: Slovakia could elect its 1st female head of state
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2019, 02:09:14 am »
She won! I have no idea on the timetable of these elections...just general info.

Here is the wikipedia article on the murder of that journalist. One would think, this is a separate matter but it sounds like it had a deep affect on how this election went. That the people were fed up with the government which did, indeed, resign, soon after the murder.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_J%C3%A1n_Kuciak

I hope she doesn't bring in too much per "EU values", I've no idea what Zuzana, Susan it must be, will have as far as policies.
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Offline The_Reader_David

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Re: Slovakia could elect its 1st female head of state
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2019, 02:26:34 am »
Seeing that Slovakia hasn't been a country all that long, are we supposed to be impressed by "firsts" in Slovak politics?  Besides, Slovakia is a successor state to the Hapsburg Empire, so it had Maria Theresa as Head of State back in the day.
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And when they behead your own people in the wars which are to come, then you will know what this was all about.

Offline TomSea

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Re: Slovakia could elect its 1st female head of state
« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2019, 03:19:32 am »
Bolsonaro in Brazil, really probably came to power because the former president, Lula had severe legal woes and could not qualify to run.

Serbia right now, has had severe demonstrations for weekends on end. The impetus? An opposition politician was beaten up and bloodied and the country saw that.

For Slovakia, again, it really is about that journalist that was killed along with his girlfriend. It may have been a contract killing using foreigners but it is thought, that it was ordered within the country.
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Protests took place last month in towns and cities across Slovakia to remember Jan Kuciak and his fiancée

But perhaps the decisive factor in these elections will be the disgust and anger still felt at Kuciak's murder - an act that Zuzana Caputova says prompted her to enter politics.

There is even a connection with the man who Slovak prosecutors believe ordered the killing, Marian Kocner. During her 14-year legal battle over an illegal landfill site in her home town of Pezinok, she crossed swords with Mr Kocner, who was representing the firm trying to expand the site.

A wealthy businessman with connections to many Slovak politicians including Robert Fico, Mr Kocner is now in custody awaiting trial for murder.

Read more at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-47719370

Mexico really, is even another case, where the election was more about ridding the nation of corruption or at least, putting a big dent in it. So, in that endeavor, I'd hope the Mexican president can do well. He seems amiable enough. Another topic.

Ukraine's election is today/tomorrow as well, it will likely lead to a run off election.

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