E3: Do Slovaks like being ruled by a strongman?

Many Slovaks thought they had gotten authoritarian strongmen leaders out of their system when Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar lost his reelection bid in 1998. Almost twenty years later, the current Slovak government is led by former Communist Robert Fico, whose coalition government attacks independent media, starves independent culture of financing, and in televised rants and social media tirades accuses political opponents and Slovaks who didn't vote for him of progressive fascism and ideological terrorism.

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To understand what Fico's brand of take-no-prisoner politics means for Slovakia and its people, I spoke to a political scientist, an author/journalist and two women living in a small town. 
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We start our journey around Slovakia in the passenger's seat of Diana's car, somewhere between Revúca and Spišská Nová Ves in Central Slovakia. You met Diana in episode 1; now she's back due to popular demand. We then move to Košice in the country's southeast, before making the long drive (when is that cross-country highway getting built?) to the capital, Bratislava. Finally, we jump back into the car with Diana and Emma, one of the students Diana mentors. 

Episode breakdown:
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• Intro segment: With politicians like this, what could possibly go wrong? with Diana Jacková
• Segment 1: Slovak stagnation and the ruse of social democracy, with political scientist Lukáš Jakabovič
• Segment 2: Progress and development? Not on Robert Fico's watch, with author, columnist and translator Samo Marec
• Outro segment: Double standards in politics, with Diana and Emma

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Episode soundtrack: Močí ďïovča konope (featuring Ženy z Muzičky) by Folk&Bass Orchestra, a Slovak ensemble that combine folk sounds with electronic and jazz elements. 
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As always, you can reach me with questions, comments or just to say "ahoj" by emailing jeff@centraleuropematters.eu.
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This episode was produced by Dávid Pál, and hosted and executive produced by me, Jeff Lugowe.