Czechoslovakian Unity
Post-war Prague was a scenic sight to behold. Beneath layers and layers of rubble were simple yet soulful creations of patriotic citizens; stands of bars, street kitchens and carnival games for both young and old to behold. Jubilant farmers filled the fields, transporting their produce to the nearest celebratory gatherings. NATO troops, both those stationed there to hold the line and those who had fought in the battlefields during Operation Sledgehammer: Central. Cheers were manifold, fireworks abundant. "To a prosperous Czechoslovakia!" was commonplace, followed with ritual shots.
The Bratislava aura was far less exultant. The Slovak people not only lost a good chunk of land post-Warsaw, but were no more independent. "Prague and Budapest will bully us like they have always done" was run-of-the-mill on the streets of Bratislava, both physically and metaphorically devastated. The troops stationed there were not celebrating with the public, but were however peace enforcers, stationed in former enemy territory.
In periled times comes numerous doomsayers and demagogues. One such demagogue was a politician by the name of Jan Slota, leader of the newly created CNS (in English Czechoslovakian National Party). Running on a platform of Slavic nationalism and xenophobia (especially towards the Romani minority), Slota spoke of the "Magyar menace", the "Roma Problem", and some of his speeches hinted about the "Jewish Question". With both prejudices running high and a grim economic situation from west to east, Slota had a vast audience of Slovaks and even Czechs, with the help of Czech leader and party vice president Miroslav sladek (the CNS had more Slovak delegates and thus selected Slota as their leader.
Regionalists also were present in the election. For the Czechs came Vaclav Klaus's ODS and for the Slovaks was Vladimir Meciar's HZDS. Both parties only conducted elections in only the seats of former Czechia (ODS) or former Slovakia (HZDS). Both parties were nationalistic and shared many traits with the CNS, but differed in the desire for the advancement of primarily regional interests.
And the front runner for political victory was none other than the democratic hero of the century, Vaclav Havel. Havel was well known for his support of democracy and liberty since the beginning of his political career. An avowed dissident of Communism, Havel and the CDA's popularity only further skyrocketed. But there was one major problem.
With the reestablishment of Czechoslovakia post-Warsaw under immense Prague domination, the spirit of internal unity, beneath the façade of friendship, was utterly broken. Czechs saw the Slovaks as an ungrateful liberated people, and Slovaks saw themselves as second class citizens in the new Czechoslovakia. Havel was willing to lend a hand to the Slovak people, but politics at the time dictated that the Slovakian voter wanted a leader of their own; they would only vote for a Slovak.
Chime in Slovak leader Rudolf Chmel. The last ambassador to Hungary from Communist Slovakia, Chmel was already ingrained in the idea of ethnic mutualism and unity. He harshly criticized the racism and hyper nationalism of both Slota and Meciar, attracting liberal, Roma and Rusyn voters across the Slovak spectrum. He also supported economic cohesion between the Czech and Slovak wings of the nation much to the satisfaction of the Bratislava business community. And for the elections, he created a new party called Most, which in Slovak means bridge. Now, there was a proper Slovak Havel, one who shared Havel's vision for a more humanitarian and united Czechoslovakia.
Havel's CDA and Chmel's Most created a political alliance labeled Unity. Unity, now strong across the board, won with 48% (32% for CDA and 16% for Most) of the vote. Slota's CNS won 13% of the vote, and CDA and HZDS won 19 and 11 percent respectively, emphasizing the strong provincial tendencies in the electorate. Unity's victory emphasized ethnic mutualism at home, and economic and political partnership abroad, with Csaky being the first head of state to visit Czeshoslovakia on a state visit, meeting with both Prime Minister Havel and Deputy Prime Minister Chmel. The U.S. State Department's reaction to the election results were:
"We applaud Czechoslovakia for upholding free and fair elections. We are particularly pleased to work with Prime Minister-elect Vaclav Havel, one of the greatest champions of liberty in this day and age."
At least for now, unity was truly achieved in Czechoslovakia.
The Bratislava aura was far less exultant. The Slovak people not only lost a good chunk of land post-Warsaw, but were no more independent. "Prague and Budapest will bully us like they have always done" was run-of-the-mill on the streets of Bratislava, both physically and metaphorically devastated. The troops stationed there were not celebrating with the public, but were however peace enforcers, stationed in former enemy territory.
In periled times comes numerous doomsayers and demagogues. One such demagogue was a politician by the name of Jan Slota, leader of the newly created CNS (in English Czechoslovakian National Party). Running on a platform of Slavic nationalism and xenophobia (especially towards the Romani minority), Slota spoke of the "Magyar menace", the "Roma Problem", and some of his speeches hinted about the "Jewish Question". With both prejudices running high and a grim economic situation from west to east, Slota had a vast audience of Slovaks and even Czechs, with the help of Czech leader and party vice president Miroslav sladek (the CNS had more Slovak delegates and thus selected Slota as their leader.
Regionalists also were present in the election. For the Czechs came Vaclav Klaus's ODS and for the Slovaks was Vladimir Meciar's HZDS. Both parties only conducted elections in only the seats of former Czechia (ODS) or former Slovakia (HZDS). Both parties were nationalistic and shared many traits with the CNS, but differed in the desire for the advancement of primarily regional interests.
And the front runner for political victory was none other than the democratic hero of the century, Vaclav Havel. Havel was well known for his support of democracy and liberty since the beginning of his political career. An avowed dissident of Communism, Havel and the CDA's popularity only further skyrocketed. But there was one major problem.
With the reestablishment of Czechoslovakia post-Warsaw under immense Prague domination, the spirit of internal unity, beneath the façade of friendship, was utterly broken. Czechs saw the Slovaks as an ungrateful liberated people, and Slovaks saw themselves as second class citizens in the new Czechoslovakia. Havel was willing to lend a hand to the Slovak people, but politics at the time dictated that the Slovakian voter wanted a leader of their own; they would only vote for a Slovak.
Chime in Slovak leader Rudolf Chmel. The last ambassador to Hungary from Communist Slovakia, Chmel was already ingrained in the idea of ethnic mutualism and unity. He harshly criticized the racism and hyper nationalism of both Slota and Meciar, attracting liberal, Roma and Rusyn voters across the Slovak spectrum. He also supported economic cohesion between the Czech and Slovak wings of the nation much to the satisfaction of the Bratislava business community. And for the elections, he created a new party called Most, which in Slovak means bridge. Now, there was a proper Slovak Havel, one who shared Havel's vision for a more humanitarian and united Czechoslovakia.
Havel's CDA and Chmel's Most created a political alliance labeled Unity. Unity, now strong across the board, won with 48% (32% for CDA and 16% for Most) of the vote. Slota's CNS won 13% of the vote, and CDA and HZDS won 19 and 11 percent respectively, emphasizing the strong provincial tendencies in the electorate. Unity's victory emphasized ethnic mutualism at home, and economic and political partnership abroad, with Csaky being the first head of state to visit Czeshoslovakia on a state visit, meeting with both Prime Minister Havel and Deputy Prime Minister Chmel. The U.S. State Department's reaction to the election results were:
"We applaud Czechoslovakia for upholding free and fair elections. We are particularly pleased to work with Prime Minister-elect Vaclav Havel, one of the greatest champions of liberty in this day and age."
At least for now, unity was truly achieved in Czechoslovakia.
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