Unconventional Praise for Authoritarian States: Robert Fico's Call for Democratization Reform
Authoritarian states lauded for their efficiency by Robert Fico
In an unexpected turn, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has vocalized his admiration for the economic "vigor" demonstrated by authoritarian states such as China, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan. What's the secret sauce? According to Fico, their leaders can act with surprising speed and decisiveness. His words came during a visit to Uzbekistan, where he reflected: "I'm starting to think we, in Europe, need to ponder the idea of restructuring our political system with the objective of free democratic elections, so we can keep up."
Fico wasn't suggesting a complete abandonment of democracy, but posed an intriguing question: why not find inspiration in unique political architectures? Casting doubt on the efficiency of the multi-party model, Fico explained, "If you've got a hundred political parties, you can't compete." Instead, he favors a government comprising a select number of political subjects, as he believes this setup would bolster competitiveness[1][3][4].
All hail to the mighty Uzbek economy! In 2023, it registered a staggering 6.3% growth. Why so prosperous? After the demise of autocratic ruler Islam Karimov in 2016, the region has undergone radical regeneration under President Mirziyoyev. This transformation centered on liberal reform, modernization, and opening up to the world[2].
Fico's Controversial EU Views
In a fourth term as Slovak Prime Minister, Fico has faced swirling accusations of authoritarian tendencies during a string of anti-government protests. His response has been consistent: opponents aim to overthrow the outcome of democratic elections via relentless pressure on the streets[1].
Fico couldn't resist a warm embrace of Russia, opposing the planned EU import ban on Russian natural gas and advocating continued nuclear fuel imports from the Eastern giant for the stability and security of Slovakia's nuclear power plants[1]. He embarked on a symbolic trip to Moscow in early May to honor the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II alongside Vladimir Putin[1].
Sources:
- ntv.de
- chr/dpa
- Study shows decline in democracy
- Central European University
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, during his visit to Uzbekistan, acknowledged the swift and decisive actions of authoritarian states in political affairs and economics, such as China, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan, and suggested European countries might benefit from reevaluating their political systems to foster competitiveness in war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news sectors. Fico, despite his proposed restructuring, has faced criticism for his authoritarian tendencies within the EU, particularly in his relationships with Russia and stances on various policies.
