Early elections of March 2012 were marked by the unprecedented victory of SMER-SD, which formed the first single party government of the post-communist era of Slovakia. Which direction has the country taken under the aegis of Prime Minister Robert Fico?

The change of statute of the Romanian Cultural Institute was announced in August 2012 and still sparks intense debates in the media. Will the Institute be able to remain independent politically speaking, or will the Institute’s work on promotion of the Romanian culture be influenced by the new majority?

The Polish parliament has rejected three law projects aiming to institutionalize the civil union not only for heterosexual couples, but also for the homosexual ones. Consequently, the Polish society was divided between the proponents and the opponents of this law.

The Slovak education system has been tormented for the past few years. A decisive political break was announced by the new government, notably including limited admissions to lycées, grammar schools.

Friday, March 30th 2012, the recently elected Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed his intention to abolish the post of Government vice-president responsible for human rights and national minorities. Is this the first sign of a toughening regime or is it simply an austerity measure?

Robert Fico was once again elected on April 4th 2012. His style of governing seems to have undergone a radical change since his first term as head of government from 2006 – 2010. How should we interpret his way of governing? Can Robert Fico be described as a populist?

The Czech National Park Šumava has been threatened for a long time by a dangerous insect. Since 2011, the administration of the park took action, aiming to cut down all contaminated trees. This measure provoked a live opposition of environmental activists. Is the intervention in the National Park Šumava justified?

September 14th, 2012 will be remembered in the Czech Republic as the day when all beverages with an alcoholic content higher than 20% were banned. In only two weeks, the death toll due to methanol intoxication rose to 26 people and many others were hospitalized. Is state intervention justified?

The question of the change has been around for more than 12 years, but it was not until spring 2012 that the protests against this reform have grown in intensity. Students designated the last week of February as the time of protests against the reform, which has met everything but approval.

Should the President of the Czech Republic be elected by universal suffrage? What would be the effects of such a change on democracy and the country's political scene?