Pellegrini and Rasi Commemorate 33rd Anniversary of Alexander Dubcek's Death

Bratislava, 8 November (TASR) – Thirty-three years ago, one of the most important figures in Slovak history, Alexander Dubcek, tragically passed away, President Peter Pellegrini posted on a social network on the occasion of Friday's (7 November) anniversary of Dubcek's death, adding that he was a modest man, a social democratic politician who never gave up his values during the harshest political persecution. "After November 1989, he had his own plans and visions, the fulfilment of which was thwarted by a tragic event. Honour to his memory, his human and moral legacy is an inspiration to us in these times," said Pellegrini. Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) stated that Dubcek became a symbol of hope, adding that he wasn't only the face of the Prague Spring in 1967–1968. "His efforts to create socialism with a human face were violently suppressed by tanks, but his vision survived nonetheless. A vision of a state that respects human dignity, ensures justice, and cares for all its citizens," said Rasi, noting that it was Dubcek who, after November 1989, as chairman of the Federal Assembly of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, helped transform totalitarian institutions into democratic ones. "We pay tribute to his struggle for enduring values such as freedom, democracy, and social justice," said Rasi, adding that these values are just as important today as they were when Dubcek championed and fought for them. Alexander Dubcek is considered to be one of the most important Slovak politicians because he served as first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia from January 1968 to April 1969, and became a symbol of the reforms known as the Prague Spring, which was forcibly ended by a military invasion by forces of the Soviet Union and other Warsaw Pact countries in August 1968. Dubcek had to leave his post under pressure from the Kremlin. Historians regard this as the beginning of the normalisation process in the former Czechoslovakia. After the Velvet Revolution, Dubcek became speaker of the Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia in December 1989. He died in a tragic accident on November 7, 1992. am