In this year‘s presidential elections, Slovakia is celebrating the historically highest number of female candidates. There are three women running for the office of the President of the Slovak Republic, two of whom are well known and respected politicians. According to the recent polls, Ms. Iveta Radicova is the female presidential candidate with most potential votes, and thus the most serious rival of the popular current President, Mr. Ivan Gasparovic.
So far, there have never been so many women in Slovak politics running for the presidential office and having fairly good chances of winning. In the country, where the political representation of women is generally rather low (approx. 16%), having three female candidates is a positive development and a hope for gradual increase of political representation of women in general.
The first round of presidential elections in Slovakia is scheduled for March 21st, 2009.
Author: Sylvia Kralova, Fenestra