CSO SUSTAINABILITY: 2.7

Parliamentary elections were held in Slovakia in March 2012, through which the left-wing party SMER (Direction) won a majority of seats in the parliament. The CSO community, particularly watchdog and human rights organizations, feared renewed backlash against civil society based on SMER’s actions during their tenure in office from 2006 to 2010. However, the new government’s relationship with CSOs has been non-confrontational to date.

CSOs were pleased that the new government maintained the Government’s Plenipotentiary for the Development of the Civil Society, an advisory body responsible for coordinating civil society development, and created an advisory body within the government composed of CSO representatives. CSO infrastructure, however, continues to deteriorate.

The number of CSOs in Slovakia increased in 2012. According to the Slovak Interior Ministry’s Register of CSOs, there are almost 38,500 CSOs in Slovakia, an increase of 1,500 from 2011. This number includes 34,920 civic associations, 2,340 nonprofit organizations providing public benefit services, 640 foundations, and 600 non-investment funds.