Michal Kovác
Encyclopedia
Michal Kováč was a Slovak politician in the early 1990s (member of the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia) and the first President of Slovakia
after the creation of that state from 1993 to 1998.
He graduated from the present-day University of Economics in Bratislava
and was a bank employee of the Státní banka československá and of other banks. As such, he spent some years in London
and in Cuba
in the 1960s. During the Normalization
he was subject to some persecution.
During and after the Velvet Revolution
, from December 12, 1989 to May 17, 1991 (when he resigned) he was the Finance Minister of the Slovak (Socialist) Republic
.
In early 1991, he was one of the founders and the vice-chairman of the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia. As such, he was elected as a deputy to the Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia
in 1990. After the 1992 election
he served as the Chairman of the Federal Assembly from June 25, to December 31, 1992. He played an important role in the process of the preparation of the Dissolution of Czechoslovakia
.
He was elected president by the National Council of Slovakia in February 1993 (because he was a candidate of the biggest parliamentary party—the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia) and inaugurated on March 2, 1993. He soon became a strong opponent of Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar
and by giving a critical presidential address to parliament in March 1994, Kováč significantly contributed to the deposition of the then Mečiar government and the creation of the Moravčík
government (which only lasted until the next parliamentary election in the autumn of 1994
).
In 1995, the Mečiar-Kováč conflict intensified and the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia cancelled Kováč's (formal) membership in the party. In August 1995, Kováč's son—who had been accused of financial crimes by German
authorities—was apparently kidnapped and taken to Austria
. The president and opposition parties accused the Slovak secret police (SIS) and the government of having organized this kidnapping, but investigations carried out up to the present day have not provided any evidence for these claims.
Kováč's term ended on March 2, 1998. His candidature in the first direct Slovak presidential election, 1999
was unsuccessful. He has not been very visible in Slovak politics since this time and has appeared only at a few symbolic events.
On July 10, 2008 the Slovak media reported that Kováč probably suffers from Parkinson's disease
. The former president has not yet confirmed this information but admitted that he has some health problems.
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
after the creation of that state from 1993 to 1998.
He graduated from the present-day University of Economics in Bratislava
University of Economics in Bratislava
University of Economics in Bratislava is the oldest university of economics in Slovakia.-History:The university was established in 1940 as a private university under the name...
and was a bank employee of the Státní banka československá and of other banks. As such, he spent some years in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
in the 1960s. During the Normalization
Normalization (Czechoslovakia)
In the history of Czechoslovakia, normalization is a name commonly given to the period 1969 to about 1987. It was characterized by initial restoration of the conditions prevailing before the reform period led by Alexander Dubček , first of all, the firm rule of the Communist Party of...
he was subject to some persecution.
During and after the Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
, from December 12, 1989 to May 17, 1991 (when he resigned) he was the Finance Minister of the Slovak (Socialist) Republic
Slovak Socialist Republic
From 1969 to 1990, the Slovak Socialist Republic was the official name of that part of Czechoslovakia that is Slovakia today. The name was used from 1 January 1969 until March 1990....
.
In early 1991, he was one of the founders and the vice-chairman of the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia. As such, he was elected as a deputy to the Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia
Federal Assembly of Czechoslovakia
The Federal Assembly was the name of Czechoslovakia's federal parliament from January 1, 1969 to the dissolution of Czechoslovakia on December 31, 1992...
in 1990. After the 1992 election
Slovak parliamentary election, 1992
The 1992 parliamentary elections in Slovakia took place on 5 and 6 June 1992.These elections were the second elections after the Velvet Revolution. They took place within the Czechoslovak parliamentary election, 1992, i.e...
he served as the Chairman of the Federal Assembly from June 25, to December 31, 1992. He played an important role in the process of the preparation of the Dissolution of Czechoslovakia
Dissolution of Czechoslovakia
The dissolution of Czechoslovakia, which took effect on 1 January 1993, was an event that saw the self-determined separation of the federal state of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic and Slovakia, entities which had arisen in 1969 within the framework of Czechoslovak federalisation, became...
.
He was elected president by the National Council of Slovakia in February 1993 (because he was a candidate of the biggest parliamentary party—the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia) and inaugurated on March 2, 1993. He soon became a strong opponent of Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar
Vladimír Meciar
Vladimír Mečiar is a Slovak politician who was Prime Minister of Slovakia from 1990 to 1991, from 1992 to 1994, and from 1994 to 1998. He is the leader of the People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia...
and by giving a critical presidential address to parliament in March 1994, Kováč significantly contributed to the deposition of the then Mečiar government and the creation of the Moravčík
Jozef Moravcík
Jozef Moravčík is a Slovak diplomat and political figure. He served as the Prime Minister of Slovakia from 16 March 1994 to 13 December 1994, and later as the Mayor of Bratislava.- References :*...
government (which only lasted until the next parliamentary election in the autumn of 1994
Slovak parliamentary election, 1994
The 1994 parliamentary elections in Slovakia took place on September 30 and October 1, 1994.It was a premature election that became necessary after the Vladimír Mečiar 1992 government had been recalled in March 1994 by the parliament and a new temporary government under Jozef Moravčík had been...
).
In 1995, the Mečiar-Kováč conflict intensified and the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia cancelled Kováč's (formal) membership in the party. In August 1995, Kováč's son—who had been accused of financial crimes by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
authorities—was apparently kidnapped and taken to Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. The president and opposition parties accused the Slovak secret police (SIS) and the government of having organized this kidnapping, but investigations carried out up to the present day have not provided any evidence for these claims.
Kováč's term ended on March 2, 1998. His candidature in the first direct Slovak presidential election, 1999
Slovak presidential election, 1999
The 1999 presidential election was held in Slovakia on May 15 and May 29 1999. In the second round, Rudolf Schuster was elected President of Slovakia.This has been the first direct presidential election ever in Slovakia...
was unsuccessful. He has not been very visible in Slovak politics since this time and has appeared only at a few symbolic events.
On July 10, 2008 the Slovak media reported that Kováč probably suffers from Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
. The former president has not yet confirmed this information but admitted that he has some health problems.