A nation the size of West Virginia coming-of-age

In case my readers have been hiding under a rock, on 3/30/2019 Slovakia officially become the most liberal nation in Central Europe, you can blame the election of Zuzana Čaputová as President. (No, this isn't some kind of April Fools joke, I know how sensitive we geopolitical geeks can get). Being surrounded by nations all lurching to the loony right (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland) has fueled Slovakia to own liberalism. This is just the start of the journey, Slovakia has been mired by corruption and a hatred towards the press (refer to the horrific slaying of Ján Kuciak). First female (and youngest-ever) President that has no qualms praising immigration and equality for all (not just pasty white folk) is what you call a good start.

Could Slovakia be the new Estonia? A question to pose at any gathering, fun way to ensure rigorous geopolitical debate, I digress. Estonia broke away from its 'stuck in the time warp' neighbors Latvia and Lithuania by adopting openness and a tech savvy outlook rather than obsessing over German, Polish, Russian hegemony. Slovakia might just do likewise, in its case be a beacon for liberalism in Central Europe.

Having had the pleasure of visiting both Estonia and Slovakia, I can tell you that they both share magnificent old towns and a smart small populace, but they differ greatly in acceptance and openness. Estonia is proud of its secular roots and does not fear immigrant invasions, whereas Slovakia still has a white nationalist and organized crime underbelly. One look at the Corruption Perceptions Index (2018) tells you everything: Estonia is the world's 18th least corrupt nation, Slovakia ranks 57th. Personally, I give Slovakia extra brownie points for being a hockey mad nation (host of the 2019 IIHF World Championships, which inspired me to don the the Team Slovakia jersey) that has given us the likes of ageless wonder, Zdeno Chara. Estonia, while not as hockey-centric gets a massive tick for inventing the first video chat platform, Skype).

As is my global citizen duty, I hereby pledge allegiance to these two great nations.

Grassalkovich Palace, Bratislava (Feb 22, 2018)

Presidential Palace, Tallinn (March 10, 2019)