VIDEO INTERVIEW: Chairman of the new entity SOM Slovakia: The last straw, why we were created, was the government’s meaningless policy
Is the new party SOM Slovakia and its candidates preparing for the municipal elections, which are in a few days?
Yes we are. Many of us are mayors or members of parliament in their second or third term. We are doing an active campaign. We walk among people. We meet them to know their problems. Because each time brings different problems. Especially today’s. So we know the problems and can solve them.
What are the biggest problems you face?
It is different. It depends on the location of Slovakia. There is a shortage of places in kindergartens and schools in the Bratislava region. And, of course, every region faces an energy crisis, energy subsidization. And then there are the usual social things that they need to deal with.
How are the problems different in the west, east and central Slovakia?
Although we are not a big country, the problems are really different. General problems have many common indicators. It also concerns land in relation to the Slovak Land Fund, and the settlement of land under the buildings of school facilities continues. Then we face problems related to the financing of schools and kindergartens, their construction. And we also deal with building social service homes or transport.
The founding of the party was discussed a year ago. Finally, you founded the party four months before the municipal elections. Why so late? What were you waiting for?
There were several impulses for the creation of the party. The final decision was also related to the municipal elections, because special coalitions were formed in different regions. The last straw was the government’s policy, very poor communication with the municipalities. Municipalities are often only in third or fourth place. We considered the adoption of the family package an attack on local governments. That’s when we decided to found a party whose goal was to group people who understand the inhabitants of villages and towns.
Are there only active mayors, mayors and members of parliament who are running in the municipal elections or also members who are running in the upcoming municipal elections?
Most of us are active municipal politicians. Of the initial 40 people, 12 are mayors and mayors from all over Slovakia, fifteen are municipal deputies and the rest are people who know municipal problems. to advertise under the brand name of 600 interested parties. In the end, 300 municipal politicians are running for us.
Why did only half pass the sieve? What were the conditions?
First of all, it was civil integrity and settlement of all obligations to the state, i.e. to health, Social Insurance and the tax office. We knew many colleagues and had personal experience. It was simply not intended for anyone to join us. We can stand up for all those who are candidates for SOM Slovakia.
In which region do you have the most members?
We are a pan-Slovak party. The membership base is spread throughout Slovakia.
Among the founding members are mayors of Bratislava districts. The party SOM Slovakia did not field any candidate for mayor of the capital. And she did not officially support any of the previous candidates. Why?
No one from our ranks was interested in the post of the mayor of the capital or the mayor of Bratislava. So we decided that we would not field our own candidate. We were founded at a time when the candidates had agreed on other coalitions, so we did not want to add anything to anyone. Since it was not primarily about our candidate, we decided not to support any of the candidates.
You start as a party with municipal elections. You emphasize that you are a national party. Do you also want to go to the parliamentary elections?
Participation in the parliamentary elections depends on success in the upcoming municipal elections. If we are successful in the whole of Slovakia. This means that if our candidates defend or occupy positions at various levels, we are planning a congress at the end of November where we will evaluate the municipal elections. There we will decide whether we will also go to the big parliamentary elections.
How do you think the municipal elections will turn out for you?
I don’t like to make predictions. Surveys are of different nature. You have to be humble. Work comes first. We try to do the campaign sincerely. If we are successful, we will definitely consider participating in the parliamentary elections.
Would you like to imitate the success of the Czech party of mayors and mayors STAN? Did they first start at the municipal level and are now part of the government coalition?
The Czech side is an inspiration, but it was not the primary reason for the creation of SOM Slovakia. Our entity was created based on the current political situation in Slovakia. The city and the village are getting sidetracked. In the case of the success of the STAN party in the Czech Republic, it is inspiring and motivating.
Advertorial prepared in cooperation with the Party of Municipalities and Towns Slovakia – I AM SLOVAKIA.
VIDEO INTERVIEW: Chairman of the new entity SOM Slovakia: The last straw, why we were created, was the government’s meaningless policy