THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SLOVAKIA: ELECTORAL PERFORMANCE, PARLIAMENTARY EXPERIENCE AND POLICY CHOICE

Following the party's success in the 2002 elections, the Communist Party of Slovakia (KSS) became a parliamentary party. This article argues that although parliamentary status has strengthened the hand of the leadership and exacerbated tensions within the party, there has been little discernible change in the party's programme and policy prescriptions. Moreover, it argues that the party's seemingly contradictory stance on the EU can be explained by the role played by Europe in domestic Slovak politics over the past decade and the shift from accession to member state status. Furthermore, it argues that the party's support appears relatively solid, although it faces tough strategic choices.