July 05, 2008

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Slovakia’s governing party has gained public backing, according to a poll by UVVM. 46.7 per cent of respondents would vote for the Direction-Social Democracy (Smer) in the next legislative election, up 3.8 points since May.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Slovakia’s governing party has gained public backing, according to a poll by UVVM. 46.7 per cent of respondents would vote for the Direction-Social Democracy (Smer) in the next legislative election, up 3.8 points since May.

The Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU) is second with 13.3 per cent, followed by the Slovak National Party (SNS) with 10.9 per cent, the Party of the Hungarian Coalition (SMK) with 10 per cent, the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) with 8.2 per cent, and the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) with 7.9 per cent. Support is lower for the Slovak Communist Party (KSS), the Movement for Democracy (HZD), the Free Forum (SF), and the New Civic Alliance (ANO).

Slovak voters renewed their legislative branch in June 2006. Final results placed Smer—led by Robert Fico—as the top party in the European country with 50 seats. In July, Fico officially took over as prime minister, in a coalition encompassing Smer, the SNS and the HZDS.

On Jul. 1, the coalition government agreed to increase welfare funding in order to help low-income citizens who could be affected by the adoption of the euro next year. Fico explained the decision, saying, "Overall, we are talking about some seven billions crowns [about $366,000 U.S.] which we want to use for those measures in 2009. (...) All other budget priorities will have to be adjusted according to this decision."

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the next parliamentary election?

	Jun. 2008	May 2008	Apr. 2008
Direction-Social Democracy (Smer)	46.7%	42.9%	40.5%
Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU)	13.3%	14.2%	15.1%
Slovak National Party (SNS)	10.9%	10.1%	13.5%
Party of the Hungarian Coalition (SMK)	10.0%	11.4%	9.7%
Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS)	8.2%	8.5%	10.4%
Christian Democratic Movement (KDH)	7.9%	7.5%	7.6%
Slovak Communist Party (KSS)	0.9%	1.7%	1.1%
Movement for Democracy (HZD)	0.8%	1.7%	0.5%
Free Forum (SF)	0.8%	1.0%	1.1%
New Civic Alliance (ANO)	0.3%	0.1%	0.1%

Source: UVVM
Methodology: Interviews with 1,062 Slovak adults, conducted from Jun. 1 to Jun. 6, 2008. No margin of error was provided.