The Slovakian National Party's dangerous brand of patriotism

Political scientist and historian Frantisek Chovanec takes a critical look at the Slovakian National Party (SNS), the extreme right wing member in the governing coalition in Slovakia. "There are lots of reasons why we can't regard the SNS as a normal party that can make a contribution to the stability of the political system. The classical reasons include its attacks on minorities and the lack of a positive programme. But what matters most is that the party compromises national thought and patriotism, which it distorts in a vulgar and dangerous direction. The SNS stands symbolically for Slovakia's small size and historical complexes. ... The other parties that profess conservatism like the SNS have to convince SNS voters and sympathisers that genuine national interests can't be achieved with strong words and verbal attacks. They have to reaffirm the idea that Hungarian history is an inseparable part of our history and has had a thoroughly positive impact."

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