Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the sgg domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6114 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/functions.php:6114) in /customers/6/e/5/lossi36.com/httpd.www/wp-includes/rest-api/class-wp-rest-server.php on line 1893 {"id":6940,"date":"2021-03-23T08:01:26","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T08:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/?p=6940"},"modified":"2023-03-15T12:30:32","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T12:30:32","slug":"the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/","title":{"rendered":"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia"},"content":{"rendered":"
In June 2020, Irena Bihariov\u00e1 was elected chair of the party Progres\u00edvne Slovensko<\/i><\/a> (PS). Her appointment made history as the first major Slovak party to be led by a Roma woman. This is a significant success as women\u2019s and Roma representation in Slovak politics is virtually non-existent. Few women manage to become party leaders and even fewer Roma enter mainstream parties.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Besides her symbolic breakthrough, PS is <\/span>developing<\/b><\/a> into a stronger party under Bihariov\u00e1\u2019s leadership; support for the party is growing and PS is emerging as a more powerful opposition in the Slovak political scene. Bihariov\u00e1 showcases the strength and capability of women leaders in politics, a demonstration which is needed in Slovakia. This is also meaningful to the wider Visegr\u00e1d Group (V4)<\/span> countries<\/b><\/a>, where women\u2019s representation in politics is minimal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Slovakia: The New Darling of the West<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The V4 countries have been of interest to Western media since the 1990s. As communism collapsed in Europe, Czechia <\/span>became<\/b><\/a> the \u201cdarling of the West\u201d due to its booming economy. In recent years, Hungary and Poland have populated Western media with sobering reports of increasing populism and weakening human rights. By comparison, their quiet neighbour, Slovakia, has remained largely an enigma.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, in 2019, Slovakia became the unlikely hero of Central Europe. It erupted into <\/span>international<\/b><\/a> news with the <\/span>election<\/b><\/a> of President Zuzana \u010caputov\u00e1 whose victory appeared to diametrically <\/span>oppose<\/b><\/a> the<\/span> political<\/b><\/a> developments in Hungary and Poland under the parties, Fidesz and PiS, respectively. Her win was a rare victory for women\u2019s advancement in politics in a region promoting traditional gender roles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her election win also secured more recognition for the newly formed PS. Established in 2017, the party became, and remains, Slovakia\u2019s chief social-liberal political party. Their values<\/span> are<\/b><\/a> progression, freedom, and equality. Before the presidential race, \u010caputov\u00e1 was the vice-chair of the party. Her election win, alongside Mat\u00fa\u0161 Vallo, an independent candidate supported by PS who was elected Mayor of Bratislava in <\/span>2018<\/b><\/a>, secured <\/span>recognition<\/b><\/a> for the party.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whilst \u010caputov\u00e1\u2019s successes are commendable, the presidency is largely a symbolic role with limited powers. \u010caputov\u00e1 is symbolically good for women\u2019s representation in the country, but she is largely unable to implement policies that can advance women\u2019s representation in politics as a whole.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, PS, as the leading liberal party, has this capacity. It has always advocated for advancing women\u2019s rights and representation in politics. Bihariov\u00e1\u2019s election honours this promise. As chair, she uses this opportunity to<\/span> develop<\/b><\/a> PS\u2019 credibility in fighting for citizens\u2019 rights. Despite the outpouring of support for women\u2019s representation in politics after President \u010caputov\u00e1\u2019s election, international media has largely ignored the significance of Bihariov\u00e1\u2019s election.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bold Bihariov\u00e1<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Breaking down stereotypes is a recurring theme in Bihariov\u00e1\u2019s life. Born in western Slovakia, in Trnava, Bihariov\u00e1 grew up in poverty. She escaped from this hardship to study law at Comenius University, one of Slovakia\u2019s top universities. Until working for PS, her career focused on tackling hate crime and extremism. In 2009, Bihariov\u00e1 headed the non-profit <\/span>organisation<\/b><\/a>, <\/span>People against racism, <\/span><\/i>which supports victims of<\/span> extreme<\/b><\/a> crimes and provides free legal aid. Her<\/span> work<\/b><\/a> has won her recognition and a human rights award.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tackling these issues is fundamental to Bihariov\u00e1 as she is Roma and has first-hand experience of <\/span>discrimination<\/b><\/a> because of her ethnicity. Throughout her <\/span>career<\/b><\/a>, she has drawn attention to the pejorative views of minorities and entrenched <\/span>antigypsyism<\/b><\/a> in <\/span>Slovakia<\/b><\/a>. These systemic issues have plagued relations between the political<\/span> institutions<\/b><\/a> and Roma communities. There are countless <\/span>cases<\/b><\/a> of parties running explicitly anti-Roma campaigns, which have fostered anti-Roma sentiments throughout society. Many Roma families face social exclusion which <\/span>force<\/b><\/a> them to live in <\/span>isolated<\/b><\/a> communities,<\/span> struggling<\/b><\/a> with poverty and unemployment. In <\/span>2019<\/b><\/a>, the Pew Research Centre found that anti-Roma sentiment was particularly high in Slovakia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Challenging the prejudice has been left to a handful of Roma politicians, often representing specific Roma parties, who attempt to tackle the government. These parties struggle to enter parliament.<\/span> Peter Poll\u00e1k<\/b><\/a> is a rare example of a Roma politician who has reached the highest government levels. The majority of Roma politicians are men. Very few Roma women exist in Slovak politics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bihariov\u00e1 is a rare example of a Roma woman in politics. It is more unusual still that she leads a mainstream political party. Her identity allows her to advocate for liberalism and human rights from a personal perspective. Nonetheless, the combination of her ethnicity and gender encouraged the<\/span> rhetoric<\/b><\/a> that, as Roma, she could only handle \u2018Roma issues\u2019 and, as a <\/span>woman<\/b><\/a>, she could only focus on \u2018women\u2019s issues\u2019. Bihariov\u00e1 managed to<\/span> rebuff<\/b><\/a> these assumptions.<\/span><\/p>\n

She<\/span> acknowledges<\/b><\/a> that being a Roma woman provides her with a different perspective from the traditional ruling elite, nevertheless, she iterated that her commitment to minority and women\u2019s rights is<\/span> part<\/b><\/a> of an extensive political manifesto<\/span>. <\/span><\/i>Her academic background and career verify her capabilities as a leader, and a politician.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time, Bihariov\u00e1 insists that although she is Roma, and has witnessed and experienced<\/span> discrimination<\/b><\/a>, she cannot represent the entire community. She describes <\/span>herself<\/b><\/a> as being from an \u201cassimilated family\u201d, meaning a Roma family that has integrated into mainstream society and does not live in an isolated Roma community. This duality, having lived and worked as part of mainstream society but also being Roma, allows Bihariov\u00e1 to represent the mainstream and minorities in Slovakia. She is also a symbol of Roma women\u2019s capabilities. Her presence tackles stereotypes by providing an opportunity for underrepresented groups in the Slovak government to see themselves in mainstream politics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Return to the Liberal Agenda\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Bihariov\u00e1\u2019s appointment is a medley of successes in PS.<\/span> Beyond the symbolic importance of her ethnicity and gender, her leadership is strengthening PS. She is rebuilding its credibility as a relevant party in Slovakia.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PS, despite its successes with \u010caputov\u00e1 and Vallo, has struggled with national politics. In the 2020 parliamentary elections, PS created a coalition with the party, <\/span>Spolu <\/span><\/i>[Together], believing that if they united there would have more chance to bring liberalism into the parliament. This failed as PS<\/span>\/<\/span><\/i>Spolu did not reach the 7% threshold that allows coalitions into the government (missing out by just 0.3%). In those 2020 <\/span>elections<\/b><\/a>, the conservative O\u013daNO party was victorious. O\u013daNO, led by Prime Minister Igor Matovi\u010d, now leads a four-party coalition government. The long-standing<\/span> SMER<\/b><\/a> party, who are<\/span> linked<\/b><\/a> with corruption and organised<\/span> crime<\/b><\/a>, came second in the votes. Notably, the neo-fascist <\/span>\u013dSNS<\/b><\/a> party managed to enter the parliament ahead of PS.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

PS\u2019 former personable chair, Michal<\/span> Truban<\/b><\/a>, supported the PS\/Spolu coalition but he emerged as too compromising and a weak debater; a toxic combination when combined with <\/span>Spolu<\/b><\/a>, who is less liberal and whose leader was related to the established political elite. This weakened PS\u2019 identity as \u2018political newcomers\u2019 with the ability to reshuffle Slovak politics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bihariov\u00e1, in contrast to her<\/span> predecessor<\/b><\/a>, is critical of the PS\/Spolu<\/span> coalition<\/b><\/a> and is uncompromising in her determination to return PS<\/span> to its socially liberal roots. She has suggested that Spolu weakened PS\u2019 values and agenda. She believes that PS must stand independently if it<\/span> wants<\/b><\/a> to become \u201ca constructive counterweight to radical conservatives in the parliament and defend liberal values\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for PS to demonstrate the failures of<\/span> populist<\/b><\/a> leaders and governments. PM Matovi\u010d is a notoriously sensationalist leader with poor communication. His coalition government has been involved in<\/span> numerous crises<\/b><\/a> since entering office. This has led many, including his coalition<\/span> partners<\/b><\/a>, to see him as<\/span> untrustworthy<\/b><\/a>. Whilst Bihariov\u00e1 is not a particularly<\/span> trusted<\/b><\/a> politician, under her leadership, support for PS is<\/span> growing<\/b><\/a>. In July 2020, opinion polls showed that support for PS was<\/span> 5.2%<\/b><\/a>. Now, in March 2021, support is at<\/span> 8.0%<\/b><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Promising Future?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The developing public support for PS looks optimistic. If<\/span> support<\/b><\/a> continues to grow, PS may become a credible opposition to the wave of conservative and populist parties dominating Slovakia. As the government crisis under Matovi\u010d<\/span> deepens<\/b><\/a>, society may look to other politicians and parties for guidance. If they turn to PS, their<\/span> plan<\/b><\/a> is ready.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The amalgamation of Bihariov\u00e1\u2019s liberal values, career, and identity as a Roma woman make her a legitimate representative of social liberalism. She is already a strong figurehead for PS, and her strength is developing the party every month. With a clearly articulated liberal strategy already<\/span> advocated<\/b><\/a>, including more comprehensive health<\/span> care<\/b><\/a> and<\/span> insurance<\/b><\/a> plans, expanded mental health<\/span> services<\/b><\/a>, and more effort towards tackling the spread of<\/span> misinformation<\/b><\/a>, PS is clearly putting citizens\u2019 first. We should be watching for Bihariov\u00e1, and PS, at the next parliamentary elections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Featured image: Irena Bihariov\u00e1 \/ Progres\u00edvne Slovensko<\/a><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the first Roma woman to head a major political party in Slovakia, Irina Bihariov\u00e1’s appointment as leader of Progressive Slovakia in 2020 secured her a spot in the history books. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":6941,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oct_exclude_from_cache":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,14,4],"tags":[69,237,1001],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-6940","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","category-central-europe","category-politics","tag-politics","tag-roma","tag-slovakia"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia - Lossi 36<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bringing you news, analysis, and photography from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Shining a spotlight on the work of students and up-and-coming professionals.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia - Lossi 36\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Bringing you news, analysis, and photography from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Shining a spotlight on the work of students and up-and-coming professionals.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Lossi 36\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lossi36\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-03-23T08:01:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-03-15T12:30:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Phoebe Williams\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@36_lossi\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@36_lossi\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Phoebe Williams\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Phoebe Williams\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/person\/ff27e3dc5bea13c9605e24f5320aa709\"},\"headline\":\"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-03-23T08:01:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-15T12:30:32+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/\"},\"wordCount\":1453,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png\",\"keywords\":[\"politics\",\"Roma\",\"Slovakia\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Analysis\",\"Central Europe\",\"Politics\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/\",\"name\":\"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia - Lossi 36\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-03-23T08:01:26+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-03-15T12:30:32+00:00\",\"description\":\"Bringing you news, analysis, and photography from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Shining a spotlight on the work of students and up-and-coming professionals.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png\",\"width\":1920,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/\",\"name\":\"Lossi 36\",\"description\":\"News, Politics, and Culture from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Lossi 36\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Lossi-36-Logo-3.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Lossi-36-Logo-3.png\",\"width\":394,\"height\":390,\"caption\":\"Lossi 36\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lossi36\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/36_lossi\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/person\/ff27e3dc5bea13c9605e24f5320aa709\",\"name\":\"Phoebe Williams\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/60a8813cbd85b125733e80f72bebe8ed\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/phoebe_w-1-scaled-96x96.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/phoebe_w-1-scaled-96x96.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Phoebe Williams\"},\"description\":\"Phoebe Williams is a recent Masters graduate of the University of Glasgow's CEERES program, where her research focus was Central Europe and women\u2019s representation in politics. She holds a BA in English from Queen\u2019s University Belfast. Her interests include gender equality, minority rights in Europe, and modern Native faiths.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/author\/phoebew\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia - Lossi 36","description":"Bringing you news, analysis, and photography from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Shining a spotlight on the work of students and up-and-coming professionals.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia - Lossi 36","og_description":"Bringing you news, analysis, and photography from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Shining a spotlight on the work of students and up-and-coming professionals.","og_url":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/","og_site_name":"Lossi 36","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lossi36\/","article_published_time":"2021-03-23T08:01:26+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-03-15T12:30:32+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1920,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Phoebe Williams","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@36_lossi","twitter_site":"@36_lossi","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Phoebe Williams","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/"},"author":{"name":"Phoebe Williams","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/person\/ff27e3dc5bea13c9605e24f5320aa709"},"headline":"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia","datePublished":"2021-03-23T08:01:26+00:00","dateModified":"2023-03-15T12:30:32+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/"},"wordCount":1453,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png","keywords":["politics","Roma","Slovakia"],"articleSection":["Analysis","Central Europe","Politics"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/","url":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/","name":"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia - Lossi 36","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png","datePublished":"2021-03-23T08:01:26+00:00","dateModified":"2023-03-15T12:30:32+00:00","description":"Bringing you news, analysis, and photography from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Shining a spotlight on the work of students and up-and-coming professionals.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/kladauktion-3-1-1.png","width":1920,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/2021\/03\/23\/the-intrepid-irena-and-the-new-era-for-progressive-slovakia\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Intrepid Irena and the New Era for Progressive Slovakia"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/","name":"Lossi 36","description":"News, Politics, and Culture from Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#organization","name":"Lossi 36","url":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Lossi-36-Logo-3.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Lossi-36-Logo-3.png","width":394,"height":390,"caption":"Lossi 36"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/lossi36\/","https:\/\/x.com\/36_lossi"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/person\/ff27e3dc5bea13c9605e24f5320aa709","name":"Phoebe Williams","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/60a8813cbd85b125733e80f72bebe8ed","url":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/phoebe_w-1-scaled-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/phoebe_w-1-scaled-96x96.jpg","caption":"Phoebe Williams"},"description":"Phoebe Williams is a recent Masters graduate of the University of Glasgow's CEERES program, where her research focus was Central Europe and women\u2019s representation in politics. She holds a BA in English from Queen\u2019s University Belfast. Her interests include gender equality, minority rights in Europe, and modern Native faiths.","url":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/author\/phoebew\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/111"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6940"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6940\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6949,"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6940\/revisions\/6949"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6941"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6940"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6940"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lossi36.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=6940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}