What result can SMER-SD show after a year in power?

First, the SMER-SD government has finally put an end to the endless political disputes which have almost paralysed the Radičová government, and have lead to its fall. In this way, because of the popular legitimacy, the Social Democratic Party has a sufficiently strong mandate to impose reforms in the Parliament, even difficult ones. Without having to compromise with a coalition party, Prime Minister Robert Fico can concentrate all his efforts on the management of the country in a difficult situation. It is because of this stability and determination that the new government suceeded at adopting unpopular but necessary reforms for the health of pubic finances; raising taxes, strictly cutting public expenses etc.

Furthermore, unlike its opposition's attitude, the majority of socialists are unilaterally pro-European, urging a more important integration of Member States, especially of those within the euro-zone. In this way, regarding the obligation Slovakia has towards its European partners, the presence of the Fico government is all the more beneficial for the country, protecting it from the isolation it was gravitating towards because of the eurosceptics within the Radičová government.

Results which speak for themselves

If it came to publishing a "grade report" of the socialist government, the first area of evaluation would be that of the economic situation of the country in the context of the crisis and the Europe-wide quasi-deflation. Despite all that, Slovakia is in full growth. In fact, the Slovak economy shows better results than before the crisis of 2007 - which was nevertheless an unprecedented success period in the history of the country earning it the nickname of "the Central European Tiger".

Actually, today Slovakia is the second most performant economy within the European Union after Poland with a growth of 10,5% compared to 2007, while the European average growth is only around 0,8%. Also, according to the estimates of the European Commission, Slovakia should attain the third largest growth of GDP among the Member States. Paralelly, Slovakia is the third country with the most important cuts in public spending. In fact, the government in place is determined to keep to this policy of consolidation of spendings, with the so-called "ESO", the reduction and reorganisation of ministries in order to minimize excessive costs. In this way, the objectif of maintaining the deficit below 3% should be attained for 2013. However, structural changes are yet to come such as pension reform and reorganisation of the health sector.

However, attempts to improve the situation of countries are many and cannot be reduced only to easily quantifiable economic results. Indeed, in the field of culture and transport, there is an effort to better draw on the European structural funds. In the same way finally a substantial reform of education - in order to reduce the number of universities and improve their quality - has now begun.

Even though high unemployment continues to haunt Slovakia, just like other countries throughout Europe, the arrival of new investors is good news just like the success of keeping those already established in the region, which remains a key factor in the struggle of maintaining and increasing employment.

"Is there no alternative?" or the erased opposition

However, the essential question, a year after the landslide victory of SMER-SD, is this: is there a viable alternative for Slovakia? On this all observers, irrespectif of their political persuasion, agree: there simply isn't. The real "putrefaction" of the Slovak right continues and has reached proportions that not even sceptics have foreseen.

Despite the artificial attempt to unite under the egis of the "Popular Platform", the right-wing remains deeply divided and unpopular ... with polls sending even SDKU, the largest right-wing party of the past, to the political cemetery. Fragmentation continues, with the departure of deputees and the appearance of new mini-parties - eg. the New Majority of Lipšic. Leadership and an alternative vision are still severely lacking for the right-wing .

In addition, the opposition has clearly lost the strongest anti-fico argument - corruption. Since the re-election of Mr. Fico there were no corruption scandals at the highest places. One thing that we could not say about the right-wing government of Radičová. At the time, despite "transparency" being the flagship of the Radičová government, scandals followed in a macabre dance, culminating in the famous Gorilla affair.

Mr Ján Figel' of the Chirstian Democratic Movement may very well proclaim that SMER-SD should "be limited to monitoring the light and heating." However, these strong words only reflect the derision of the right-wing, without any prospect of returning to power - not even on the long-run. Especially following rumors that Mr Fico plans to run in the presidential elections next year for which - what a surprise - the right-wimg has no common candidate yet .