Slovak nationalists: Hungary raises tension in Central Europe

The most recent statements from Hungarian PM Ferenc Gyurcsanyi that one should support the autonomy of ethnic Hungarians instead of dual citizenship has angered Slovak nationalist politicians. Former chairman of the Slovak National Party, Jan Slota, said that the real aim of the ethnic Hungarian Coalition Party is “territorial autonomy in southern Slovakia and its subsequent joining to Hungary”. Slovakia, according to him, should withdraw its military troops from Kosovo to defend southern Slovakia.

Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany on Thursday refused to comment on the proposition made by Jan Slota, indicating that Slovakia should man its border with Hungary. "It's a statement not worthy of comment ... it's not to be taken seriously," said Gyurcsany.

As well as the Slovak National Party’s Jan Slota, the chairman of the opposition Movement for a Democratic Slovakia, Vladimir Meciar also reacted to the statement of the Hungarian Prime Minister. Meciar believes that Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda will not negotiate about autonomy for ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia. He believes the Hungarian government and the Hungarian Coalition Party in Slovakia want to negotiate about autonomy. Meciar openly criticized the SMK. He believes that the party is turning towards nationalism to solve its internal party problems. Slovak Hungarians failed to find approval in Hungary for their demands for dual citizenship, as the recent referendum there was declared invalid due to insufficient turnout.