“We have made progress regarding the establishment of an independent Hungarian-language faculty at the Konstantín University in Nitra/Nyitra,” stated Pál Csáky, Deputy Prime Minister for Human Rights, Minorities and Regional Development following talks with Daniel Kluvanec, Rector of the University; Milan Ftacnik, Education Minister; and Education State Secretary László Szigeti. Csáky told the Hungarian-language daily Új Szó that the current proposal allowing for the creation of six departments within the Hungarian-language faculty is acceptable to the Hungarian Coalition Party (HCP). The faculty awaits accreditation since its staff and professional requirements are ready, however, the university's senate has yet to give its approval. Previously, Csáky conditioned the approval of the university's application for a government subsidy of 140 million Slovak Korunas (approx. US$ 2.6 million) on fulfillment of a government resolution recommending the establishment of this faculty [see report of November 13, January 31 and 24]. Csáky's position, supported by Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda, could induce the university's leadership to establish the Hungarian departments by Spring 2002 and grant them independence by Fall 2002. "The exact name of the faculty is undecided because the Ministry is evaluating several options," said Csáky, pointing out that his party's long-term, strategic goal is to establish an independent, state-funded Hungarian-language university. Currently, professional standards and financial support are lacking for this endeavor. However, if the university’s leadership continues to hinder the establishment of the Hungarian faculty, HCP is poised to bring the aspiration for a full university before the coalition government, said Csáky. [ Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony) December 20, 2001]

The two Hungarian Coalition Party (HCP) nominees for County Head positions, József Kvarda in Trnava/Nagyszombat and Miklós Fehér in Nitra/Nyitra, lost in the run-off of Slovakia’s first-ever regional elections. In these two counties the voter turnout was higher—37 percent in Trnava/Nagyszombat and 40 percent in Nitra/Nyitra—than the national average of 23 percent. Thus ethnic Hungarian fears that the “vote Slovak” campaign would prevail, came to pass. The candidates from former Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar’s Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) now hold six of the eight regional chairman posts, thus shattering the government coalition parties’ hopes. Only Bratislava/Pozsony, where the race was decided in the first round; and Kosice/Kassa, where a large coalition was formed to stop the opposition candidate, remain under the influence of the ruling government. [ Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony) December 17, 2001]

The Hungarian Coalition Party (HCP) won 20.95 percent of the votes in Slovakia’s first-ever county elections, finishing second only behind former Prime Minister Vladimír Meciar’s Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), which won the majority of seats in five of the eight newly-created regions. Voter turnout on the national scale averaged only 26 percent, however, due to high mobilization among the Hungarian population, more HCP candidates got elected than expected. Only one County Head, Luba Roman of the Bratislava/Pozsony right-wing alliance, won an absolute majority and was elected in the first round. A run-off will be held between the top two candidates in the seven other regions on December 15, 2001. József Kvarda in Trnava/Nagyszombat and Miklós Fehér in Nitra/Nyitra, two HCP nominees for the County Head position, are well-positioned before the second round. Party Chairman, Béla Bugár told the Hungarian language daily Új Szó he was content with the results. “84 of our 116 nominees in the regional assemblies got elected, which represents a 73 percent success rate. We will have discussions with possible coalition partners before the second round and can give our support in Kosice/Kassa and Banska Bystrica/Besztercebánya Counties, expecting the same in Trnava/Nagyszombat and Nitra/Nyitra,” said Bugár. The Slovak Prime Minister Mikulás Dzurinda’s Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU) pledged his party’s support for the two HCP candidates. Anna Malikova, president of the right-wing Slovak National Party (SNS) started a disinformation and intimidation campaign in the two counties where HCP candidates are still in the running, attributing secessionist aspirations to them. [ Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony) December 3, 5 and 11, 2001]