It has been 25 years since the European Community recognised Slovenia as an independent country. This special anniversary provides one with the opportunity to assess the events of the past 25 years. Whereas Slovenia has come a long way as a sovereign state, there could have been far more progress were this small country with a population of two million not plagued by archaic ideological battles.

The State of democracy and the rule of law in Poland is a debate not only within the country but also on the European and international scene. Some speak of the end of Polish democracy, some others have more nuanced opinions.

Some months ago the Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that Hungary would tackle important challenges with regards to immigration. Recently, the public was informed that a wall of 175 km would be constructed at the Serbian-Hungarian border. How can the immigration policy of the Hungarian government be evaluated?

Magdalena Ogoreck, candidate for the presidential elections: a blessing or a curse for the Polish Left?

Slovak citizens may have to cast their votes in another referendum initiated by the Alliance for Family. The referendum has been suspended and it was passed on the Constitutional court by the President. If the Court approves it, will the majority of Slovaks incline to vote in favour of the arguments of the Alliance or will they grant opportunities to LGBTI communities?

Being a small country doesn't prevent the occurrence of big political divides. Hungarians, depending on whether they support the ruling party or the opposition, give a completely different interpretation of the national political reality.

Romania has entered the European Union on January 1st 2007. However, to this day has not joined the Schengen Area, for entering this zone of free internal circulation requires both the unanimous vote of the old members, and the fulfillment of technical requirements. Why has Romania cumulated such a delay?

Slovakia is getting ready for the presidential elections of 2014. Who will follow current President Gasparovic in the presidential seat? Will the elections turn out to be the occassion for the right-wing to reaffirm its position? Or on the contrary, will they only proove that the left-wing has gathered all power?

Given the state of public healthcare in Slovakia, it sometimes seems like we are back in the Soviet era. The buildings are old, the equipment is dated and apparently no renovations are planned. More than twenty years after its independence, how can Slovakia account for such degradation of its public healthcare?

Early january the Slovak President, Ivan Gašparovič has once and for all refused to appoint Jozef Čentéš as Attorney General, even though he had been legally elected by the Parliament. This refusal has led to an attempt of impeaching the President. Was that a disproportionate measure?