The second Czechoslovakia established after the war was to have been a federal state, but after the communist take-over in February 1948 the administration once again became centralized in Prague. Many of those who resisted the new communist dictatorship were ruthlessly eliminated by execution, torture and starvation in labor camps. Although the 1960 constitution granted Czechs and Slovaks equal rights, only the 1968 'Prague Spring' reforms introduced by Alexander Dubcek implemented this concept. In August 1968, Soviet troops quashed democratic reform, and although the Czech and Slovak republics theoretically became equal partners, the real power remained in Prague. The fall of communism in Czechoslovakia during 1989 led to a resurgence of Slovak nationalism and agitation for Slovak autonomy. After the left-leaning nationalist Vladimir Meciar was elected in June 1992, the Slovak parliament voted to declare sovereignty and the federation dissolved peacefully on 1 January 1993. Meciar lost the prime ministership in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in March 1994 because of a failing economy and his increasingly authoritarian rule, but after general elections a few months later, he was able to form a new coalition government. Surprisingly, the economy has improved since 1995 but Meciar's semi-authoritarian rule has earned him criticism on other grounds. A law to protect the Republic can mean the arrest of anyone criticizing the government and the media is tightly controlled. Slovak has been declared the only official language, meaning that the large Hungarian minority is officially prohibited from using its mother tongue in public places.
The type of institution in Slovakia is Parliamentary democracy, now.
Parliament is called National Council of the Slovak Republic, located near the Bratislava Castle. It has one chamber with 150 members. Elections are held every 4 years, using proportional system within 4 regions: Bratislava, Western Slovakia, Central Slovakia and Eastern Slovakia. At least 5% of the votes are needed for a party (7% for coalition) to get to parliament. NR SR elects the President of the Slovak Republic.


Population and Religion:

The population of Slovakia is 5.4 million people, and the growth rate is 0.5%. The population density is 107 persons per one square kilometer. 447,000 people live in the capital of Slovakia, Bratislava. 11% of the population are Hungarians, 1.5% Romans and 1% Checks.
Religion is taken quite seriously by the folksy Slovaks. Catholics are in a majority but Protestants and Evangelicals are also numerous. In East Slovakia there are many Greek Catholics and Orthodox believers.