Slovaks have been paying in euros for almost 12 years, we still pay in kroons… Almost all economic indicators show that even 30 years after the collapse of the unified state, the Czechs still live better. Look at yourself.
Sunday marks exactly 30 years since the peaceful collapse of Czechoslovakia. Both countries have come a long way since then, but the Czech Republic still outperforms economically. “Czechs are getting rich faster, Slovaks are getting into debt faster, they have consistently significantly higher unemployment, and even the transition to the euro did not cheer them up,” Lukas Kovanda, chief economist at Trinity Bank, sums up the development of events..
Despite the current problems with inflation (higher than in Slovakia – ed. note) and expensive energy resources, world rating agencies rate Prague better than Bratislava. Slovakia, on the other hand, boasts greater accessibility of pediatricians, lower divorce rates, and the fact that it has already met its target of 2% of GDP spent on defense.
Similar issues
However, both countries suffer from similar problems, such as over-reliance on the automotive industry or low investment in science and research. And above all, the aging of the population. “For this reason, it is necessary to open the Slovak labor market to foreign workers and simplify the process of obtaining work and residence permits,”, says a recent alysis of Slovenská spořitel.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala (58, ODS) to Shine: “It was a little miracle!”
“As a historian and political scientist, I was convinced that the division of the Czech Republic and Slovakia had to happen. I did not know how fast it would be, and I was aware of the risks associated with the collapse of state bodies.
The fact that the political representatives of both countries were able to reach an agreement and that the separation happened quickly, completely peacefully and was fully accepted by both societies, is a great success and in fact a small miracle that we can fully appreciate today. The smooth progress of the division contributed to the fact that we have above-standard friendly relations with the Slovaks and deep cooperation in almost all areas,” Fiala commented.
What was heard before the split
- Head of ODS Vaclav Klaus (81), May 1992: “For me, the main thing is to keep one tax system, one economic and monetary policy, and much more. I consider it ippropriate to have two types of postage stamps, but we can talk about it.”
- Head of HZDS Vladimir Mechyar (80), June 1992: “The federation is lost and, according to the HZDS, the common state is also lost. … The talks revealed deep and fundamental differences in views on the future structure of Czechoslovakia.”.
- Czechoslovak President Vaclav Havel (75), July 1992: “I decided to take this step (abdication of the throne – ed. note) after mature reflection, and I was led to it by the realization that I can no longer fulfill the obligations arising from the oath of allegiance to the Czech-Slovak Federal Republic and its constitution, in accordance with my convictions, convictions and conscience.”
Source: Blesk