govandpolУправление и политикаGovernance and Politics2782-70622782-7070MGIMO University10.24833/2782-7062-2022-1-1-50-62govandpol-6Research ArticleCOUNTRY IN FOCUSThe COVID-19 Pandemic and Slovakia: Why Do Results for the First and Later Phases Differ so Much?NemecJuraj

Dr., Professor, Faculty of Economics and Administration

Brno

juraj.nemec@umb.skMasaryk UniversityCzech Republic202202062022115062Copyright © Nemec J., 20222022Nemec J.Nemec J.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://www.gp-mgimo.ru/jour/article/view/6

Slovakia, a small country in Central Europe, was among the most successful countries in combatting COVID-19 during the first phase of the pandemic in the spring of 2020. However, it appeared to be among the least successful states in later COVID-19 phases. The aim of the article is to highlight the specifics of the Slovak COVID-19 case. Why did Slovakia handle the COVID-19 outbreak effectively in the initial phase, and why did it fail later? The positive anti-epidemic results in the first phase were determined by effective government policies (realized during a time of government change) and catalyzed by the high level of compliance demonstrated by citizens. The failures Slovakia faced later are connected with the limited long-term politico-administrative capacity of the state, and politicization of the pandemic that resulted in social non-compliance. Short term success was possible with the mobilization of all actors, but long term success in this country seems to be “mission impossible”.

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The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.