Mikuláš Dzurinda
Mikuláš Dzurinda | |
---|---|
Martens Centre | |
Assumed office 3 December 2013 | |
Preceded by | Wilfried Martens |
Personal details | |
Born | Spišský Štvrtok, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia) | 4 February 1955
Political party | |
Spouse | Eva Dzurindová |
Alma mater | University of Žilina |
Mikuláš Dzurinda (Slovak pronunciation:
Dzurinda's second government was labeled as a reformist and pro-market. Reforms included a flat tax of 19%, pension reform (second pillar), and education financing reform (except colleges and universities). During his term, Slovakia
Early life
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (October 2014) |
Dzurinda was born on 4 February 1955 in the eastern Slovak village of
Dzurinda entered Slovak politics as one of the founding members of the
Prime Minister 1998–2002
In response to the Election Act prepared and approved by Mečiar's government in 1997, five opposition parties (
Under Dzurinda's leadership Slovakia managed to re-enter integration processes and registered a political comeback in relations both with the European Union and trans-Atlantic economic and political structures. The success of the reforms put through by his cabinet were best reflected in Slovakia's entry into the OECD in September 2000, completion of accession negotiations with the European Union and the entry of major investors into the Slovak market. The U.S. Steel investment, for example, came with a pledge to invest more than a billion dollars here over the next decade.
In January 2000 he founded a new political party, the
Prime Minister 2002–2006
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (October 2014) |
The reformist course of Dzurinda's policies was confirmed by a mandate he was given by electors in the 2002 general election to form his second government. It was also a year when the NATO Prague Summit in November decided on Slovakia's invitation to join NATO; and the country also completed accession talks with the EU at the Copenhagen Summit in December, thus launching its ratification process. During this period, the budget deficit has been reduced to less than 3 percent of GDP, and it opened the door for Slovakia to join the eurozone in 2009. Economic growth, higher than 6 per cent, has become the fastest in the region. Nevertheless, foreign investors has discovered the country, notably car companies such as PSA Peugeot-Citroën and Kia.
The government of Mikuláš Dzurinda has been praised by the World Bank as the best market reformer in the world.
Dzurinda in opposition 2006–2010
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (October 2014) |
Mikuláš Dzurinda has been a regular MP in the
Foreign minister 2010–2012
Dzurinda was appointed foreign minister in the cabinet of prime minister Iveta Radičová on 9 July 2010. He was again elected to be the chairman of the SDKÚ-DS party on 6 November 2010 for next four years. He was only one candidate, the incumbent prime minister Radičová (from the same party) declined the nomination for candidacy.
Public image
Dzurinda has been known for his enthusiasm for
Other activities
This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (January 2015) |
Dzurinda has lectured at North American and European universities, and to both experts and public audiences. He is a strong advocate of trans-Atlantic ties. He has met and talked personally to leading foreign politicians, including U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, European Commission President Romano Prodi, NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson, and several influential US senators and congressmen. Under his leadership, the Visegrád Group—a co-operative grouping of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia—was revived and gained new stimuli.
Dzurinda serves on the
References
- Originally copied with permission from http://www.vlada.gov.sk/dzurinda_en/ktoje/zivotopis.php3
- ^ "EPP President Joseph Daul congratulates Mikuláš Dzurinda on his election as CES President | EPP". Archived from the original on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
- ^ "Coalition agreement goes to the wire". 2 November 1998.
- ^ Šimončič, Andrej (24 February 1999). "According to one HZDS supporter the Government is full of Hungarians, Communists and Gestapo members". SME. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
- ^ Baková, Oľga (13 March 2006). "They praised in the United States". Slovenský rozhlas. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
External links
- Official site. Includes CV, agenda and gallery.