Gaspar Fears Deterioration in Relations with Hungary Following Elections

Bratislava, 13 April (TASR) - I don't believe that the results of the Hungarian parliamentary elections will influence politics in Slovakia, stated Parliamentary Vice-chair Tibor Gaspar (Smer-SD) on Monday, adding that he expects they will have some impact, however. The House vice-chair fears that relations between Hungary and Slovakia may deteriorate, emphasising that the election results must be respected. "First and foremost, our goal is for Hungarian-Slovak relations to remain at least at the level that they have been at so far. I'm pessimistic about this. Given the statements made by the likely future prime minister, Mr. Magyar, that Slovakia is still 'Felvidek' [a Hungarian name for Slovakia harking back to the Kingdom of Hungary until 1918 that is viewed as derogatory in Slovakia - ed. note] to him because that is what his grandparents taught him, I personally believe that these statements are a harbinger of a deterioration in these relations," said Gaspar, adding that Magyar is a pro-Brussels politician who probably won't defend Hungary's interests in the same way as incumbent Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. "Whether this will lead to some kind of confrontation with Slovakia, I don't know yet," he added. Chairman of the Slovak National Party (SNS) parliamentary caucus Roman Michelko believes that relations with the new Hungarian prime minister will be at least normal. He noted that during the election campaign the new prime minister raised the issue of the Benes Decrees, which Michelko doesn't consider to be a wise move. "We believe and hope that this was purely a tactical move to mobilise his voters and that it won't become part of Slovak-Hungarian relations," he added. With 98.94 percent of the votes counted, Peter Magyar's Tisza party is set to win 138 of the 199 seats in parliament, thereby gaining a constitutional majority and ending Orban's 16-year grip on power through his Fidesz party. am/df