From partisanship to nonpartisanship. A study of regional elections in Slovakia in 2001-2022

https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 289 From partisanship to nonpartisanship. A study of regional elections in Slovakia in 2001-2022 Ewelina Kancik-Kołtun The article examines the impact of party and non-party representation on local governance in Slovakia in the years 2001-2022. Regional elections to self-governing regions play a key role in shaping local politics. The study focuses on understanding how changes in the political structure of local governments affect local politics and the quality of life of residents. The hypothesis is that an increase in the number of non-party representatives leads to a more diverse representation and better cooperation. Analysis of statistical data from elections shows a decrease in the level of politicization and an increase in the number of independent representatives. The results indicate greater transparency and accountability in the management of local affairs in regions with a larger number of independent representatives. The increase in the number of independent representatives contributed to a decrease in political conflicts and a greater involvement of citizens. Introduction Local government is one of the most important institutions in democratic countries, especially after the political transformation in 1989, when administrative reforms aimed to decentralize power, which enabled the rebirth of self-government and the development of local democracy1. Regional elections for the replacement of selfgoverning countries play a key role in shaping local politics and have a direct impact on the lives of residents. Citizen involvement in democratic elections is extremely important, because everyone has the opportunity to both elect their representatives and be elected2. Thanks to this, residents can actively participate in the decision-making process, influencing the development of their local community. 1 KANCIK-KOŁTUN, E.: Wstęp. In: KANCIK-KOŁTUN, E.; SMOLIK, J.; FEKETE, S.; RADEK, M.: Local Government in the Visegrad Group Countries. Lublin: Maria CurieSkłodowska Publishing House, 2020, s. 8. 2 MADLEŇÁK, T.: Regionálna diferenciácia volebného správania na Slovensku (1998–2010). Bratislava: Veda, 2012, s. 11. https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 290 Various political entities participate in the struggle for power, which have different visions of the development of self-governing countries and its management. Generally, two types of political entities can be distinguished: political parties and independent local groups3. Political parties are organizations that seek to shape policy at the national or local level, filling positions with their members and representing the diverse interests of social groups that support them4. A non-partisan politician is a person who does not belong to any political party and is a candidate put forward by a non-partisan election committee. In the context of local government, the partisanship and non-partisanship of representatives play an important role in management and decision-making. The representative body of the self-governing region (zastupiteľstvo samosprávneho kraja) is a body composed of councillors (poslancov) elected in free, democratic elections5. Councillors of regional government often represent the interests of their political parties, which can affect the way resources are allocated, investment priorities and the implementation of local policies. In turn, non-partisan deputies, who are not affiliated with any political party, can act more for the common good, which promotes greater transparency and accountability in the management of local affairs. The research problem is to understand how the partisanship and non-partisanship of representatives affect local governance in Slovakia over a long period of time. In particular, it is interesting to see how changes in the political structure of local governments 3 KANCIK-KOŁTUN, E.: Partyjność władz miejskich: case study.In: Acta Politica Polonica. Nr 2/2018, (44), s. 54. 4 WARE, A.: Political Parties and Party systems. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1996, s. 5. 5 ČAMBAL, Z.: Vplyv politických strán na regionálne voľbe v slovenskej republikę. In: VLČEJ, J. (ed.): Ako volili Slováci politicky vyvoj slovenskej republiky v období 1989-2016. Brno: Tribu EU, 2016, s. 114. https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 291 resulting from elections shape local politics and the quality of life of residents. The research hypothesis assumes that the increase in the number of non-partisan MPs leads to a greater diversity of representation, better cooperation between councilors and more effective management of local resources. In order to verify the hypothesis, a variety of research methods will be used. Analysis of statistical data from the elections to the replacement self-government regions in Slovakia in the years 2001-2022 allows for understanding the key trends and changes in the political structure of local governments. A significant decrease in the level of politicization was observed in the period under study, which means an increase in the number of independent councilors in relation to party councilors. Analysis of local election results from 2001 to 2022 Elections are the foundation of local democracy, allowing citizens to elect their representatives, who make decisions about the daily affairs of the community. An example of participation among residents can be participation in making electoral decisions, which is undoubtedly one of the signs of the existence of a civil society6. Thanks to local elections, residents have the opportunity to influence local politics, which allows for better adjustment of the authorities' actions to their needs and expectations. In this way, residents can directly influence the quality of life in their community. Local elections also strengthen civil society, promoting active involvement of citizens in decision-making processes. They allow residents to express their opinions and needs, which leads to greater transparency and accountability of local authorities. Thanks to this, citizens can better control the actions of their representatives and enforce the implementation of election promises. It is worth noting 6 CZEŚNIAK, M.: Partycypacja wyborcza w Polsce. Perspektywa porównawcza. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Nauko we Scholar, 2007, s. 100. https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 292 that the process of decreasing party affiliation in local governments, observed in recent years, may contribute to even greater citizen involvement and improvement of the quality of local governance. Independent councillors, being less tied to partisan interests, can act more for the common good, which promotes better cooperation between councillors and more effective decision-making. Elections have a significant impact on local decisions and governance, as they select representatives who make key decisions about the community. For example, as a result of local elections, local authorities can decide on budget allocation, investment in infrastructure, education or health care. Elections also affect policies related to environmental protection, public transport and spatial planning. Table 1. Partisanship and non-partisanship in the 2001 regional elections. Self-governing region Non-party deputies/ Councillors Party deputies/ Councillors Number of deputies Percentage of politicisation Bratislavský 1 45 46 98% Trnavský 0 40 40 100% Trenčiansky 0 45 45 100% Nitriansky 0 52 52 100% Žilinský 3 49 52 94% Banskobystrický 1 48 49 98% Prešovský 5 55 60 91% Košický 8 49 57 86% In total 18 383 401 96% Source: SO SR: Voľby do orgánov samosprávnych krajov 2001. [online]. Dostupné online: <https://volby.statistics.sk/osk/osk2001/webdata/slov/tab/tab2.h tm>. https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 293 The first elections to self-government bodies of the regions in Slovakia were held on December 1, 2001.7 When analyzing the election results, in the Bratislavský region there was one independent deputy and 45 party deputies, which gave a total of 46 deputies, and the percentage of politicization was 98%. In the Trnavský region there were no independent deputies, and all 40 deputies were party deputies, which meant 100% politicization. Similarly, in the Trenčiansky region, where all 45 deputies were party deputies, which also gave 100% politicization. In the Nitriansky region, all 52 deputies were party deputies, which gave 100% politicization. In the Žilina region there were three independent deputies and 49 party deputies, which gave a total of 52 deputies and the percentage of politicization politicization rate of 94%. In the Banskobystrický region there was one independent MP and 48 party MPs, which gave a total of 49 MPs and a politicization rate of 98%. In the Prešovský region there were five independent MPs and 55 party MPs, which gave a total of 60 MPs and a politicization rate of 91%. In the Košický region there were eight independent MPs and 49 party MPs, which gave a total of 57 MPs and a politicization rate of 86%. In total, in the analyzed regions there were 18 independent MPs and 383 party MPs, which gave a total of 401 MPs and an average politicization rate of 96%. The analysis of the results of the local elections of 2001 showed that most regions were characterized by a very high level of politicization, where the majority of deputies were representatives of political parties. In the Trnavský, Trenčiansky and Nitriansky regions, all deputies were party members, which meant 100% politicization. In the Žilina region, despite the presence of three independent deputies, the percentage of 7 BARAŃSKI, M.; CZYŻ, A.; KUBAS, S.; RAJCZAK, R.: Wybory, prawo wyborcze, systemy wyborcze w państwach Grupy Wyszehradzkiej. Katowice: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego, 2016, s. 133. https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 294 politicization was 94%. The Banskobystrický and Bratislavský regions had 98% politicization, respectively, with one independent deputy in each. The Prešovský and Košický regions had a slightly lower percentage of politicization, at 91% and 86%, respectively, which was due to the larger number of independent deputies. The average percentage of politicization for all regions was 96%, which suggested the dominance of political parties in local governments. The low number of independent MPs could be due to the dominance of political parties, low voter turnout, lack of public interest, electoral mechanisms that favor parties, and limited agency of MPs. These results suggested that political parties played a dominant role in local governments, which could affect the way decisions were made and local policies were implemented. The low number of independent MPs could be due to several reasons: • Dominance of political parties: Political parties tend to have better resources, organizational structures, and financial support, which makes it easier for them to campaign and win seats. Independent candidates often do not have such resources, which makes it difficult for them to compete with parties. • Low voter turnout: Elections to district councils and other local bodies often attract low voter interest. Low turnout can lead to a situation in which only the most organized and motivated groups, such as political parties, are able to effectively mobilize their voters. • Lack of public interest: Declining public interest in civic activity, including running for MP, can lead to fewer independent candidates. Many people may not see the point in getting involved in local politics, especially if they feel that their influence on decisions is limited. • Electoral mechanisms: Existing electoral laws and candidate selection mechanisms can favor political parties. For example, the possibility of deciding elections without a vote in the absence of https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 295 competition can lead to a situation in which political parties have an advantage. • Low agency of MPs: In some cases, the limited competences and influence of MPs on local decisions can discourage independent candidates from running in elections. If MPs have no real influence on local politics, running may seem less attractive. These factors together can lead to a situation in which the number of independent MPs is low and political parties dominate local government bodies. Table 2. Partisanship and non-partisanship in the 2005 regional elections. Self-governing region Non-party deputies/ councillors Party deputies/ councillors Number of deputies Percentage of politicisation Bratislavský 2 48 50 96% Trnavský 5 35 40 87% Trenčiansky 3 42 45 93% Nitriansky 0 52 52 100% Žilinský 5 52 57 81% Banskobystrický 5 44 49 90% Prešovský 12 50 62 81% Košický 7 50 57 88% In total 39 353 412 91% Source: SO SR: Voľby do orgánov samosprávnych krajov 2005. [online]. Dostupné na internete: <https://volby.statistics.sk/osk/osk2005/>. In the 2005 local elections, in the Bratislavský region there were two independent councilors and 48 party councilors, for a total of 50 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 96%. In the Trnavský region there were five independent councilors and 35 party councilors, for a total of 40 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 87%. In the Trenčiansky region there were three independent councilors and 42 party councilors, for a total of 45 https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 296 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 93%. In the Nitriansky region all 52 councilors were party councilors, for a total of 100%. In the Žilinský region there were five independent councilors and 52 party councilors, for a total of 57 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 81%. In the Banskobystrický region, there were five independent councilors and 44 party councilors, which gave a total of 49 councilors, and the politicization percentage was 90%. In the Prešovský region, there were twelve independent councilors and 50 party councilors, which gave a total of 62 councilors, and the politicization percentage was 81%. In the Košický region, there were seven independent councilors and 50 party councilors, which gave a total of 57 councilors, and the politicization percentage was 88%. In total, in the analyzed regions, there were 39 independent councilors and 353 party councilors, which gave a total of 412 councilors and an average politicization percentage of 91%. The low number of independent councilors could be due to the dominance of political parties, which had better resources, organizational structures and financial support, which made it easier for them to conduct election campaigns and win seats. Independent candidates often did not have such resources, which made it difficult for them to compete with parties. Low voter turnout may have led to a situation in which only the most organized and motivated groups, such as political parties, were able to effectively mobilize their voters. The lack of public interest in civic activity, including running for council, may have led to fewer independent candidates. The applicable electoral law and candidate selection mechanisms may have favored political parties. The limited competences and influence of councilors on local decisions may have discouraged independent candidates from running in the elections. https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 297 Table 3. Partisanship and non-partisanship in the 2009 regional elections. Self-governing region Non-party deputies/ councillors Party deputies/ councillors Number of deputies Percentage of politicisation Bratislavský 1 43 44 98% Trnavský 6 34 40 85% Trenčiansky 10 35 45 78% Nitriansky 3 51 54 94% Žilinský 11 46 57 81% Banskobystrický 5 44 49 90% Prešovský 6 56 62 91% Košický 13 44 57 77% In total 55 353 408 87% Source: SO SR: Voľby do orgánov samosprávnych krajov 2009. [online]. Dostupné na internete: <https://volby.statistics.sk/osk/osk2009/>. In the 2009 local elections, in the Bratislavský region there was one independent councilor and 43 party councilors, for a total of 44 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 98%. In the Trnavský region there were six independent councilors and 34 party councilors, for a total of 40 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 85%. In the Trenčiansky region there were ten independent councilors and 35 party councilors, for a total of 45 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 78%. In the Nitriansky region there were three independent councilors and 51 party councilors, for a total of 54 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 94%. In the Žilinský region there were eleven independent councilors and 46 party councilors, for a total of 57 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 81%. In the Banskobystrický region there were five independent councilors and 44 party councilors, which gave a total of 49 councilors, and the percentage of politicization was 90%. In the Prešovský region there were six independent councilors and 56 party councilors, which gave https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 304 Even in the years when the number of independent councilors increased, political parties still dominated in most regions. Nitriansky and Prešovský regions showed a high percentage of politicization in all years, which suggests a strong dominance of political parties in these regions. The largest differences can be seen in the Bratislavský region, where the percentage of politicization fell from 98% in 2001 to 50% in 2017, and then rose to 75% in 2022. The Žilina region also showed significant variability, with a percentage of politicization of 94% in 2001, falling to 47% in 2022. Regions such as Trnavský and Trenčiansky had more stable results, with smaller fluctuations in the percentage of politicization. In all years, regardless of the region, political parties had a significant advantage over independent councilors. Even in years when the number of independent councilors increased, political parties still dominated in most regions. Local elections in different years showed similar patterns, with regions with a higher percentage of politicization tending to maintain this trend in subsequent years. Regions with a higher number of independent councillors in one year often showed similar results in subsequent elections, suggesting some stability in voter preferences. The results of local elections from 2001 to 2022 have had a positive impact on the functioning of local governments, leading to greater diversity of representation, transparency, cooperation, reduced political conflict, citizen involvement and innovative changes in local politics. The durability of the decline in politicisation in local governments depends on a number of factors that can influence long-term changes in the political structure. Increased civic awareness and social involvement can lead to more independent candidates and a continuation of the trend of decreasing politicisation. Electoral reforms that make it easier for independent candidates to run can also contribute to the durability of this trend. Long-term demographic https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 305 changes, such as population ageing or migration, can affect voting preferences and encourage the election of independent candidates. Social media play an increasingly important role in election campaigns, allowing independent candidates to reach a wide range of voters without having to have large financial resources, which can support the durability of the decline in politicisation. Political and economic stability can also affect voting preferences. However, in times of crisis, voters may gravitate towards more organized political parties, which could reverse this trend. The growth of local initiatives and civic movements that promote civic engagement and independent candidates could contribute to the durability of the decline in politicization. These initiatives often focus on specific local issues, which can attract voters. In summary, the durability of the decline in politicization in local governments depends on many variables, including civic awareness, electoral reforms, demographic changes, the role of social media, political stability, and local civic initiatives. If these factors support the election of independent candidates, the trend of declining politicization could continue. The results of local elections from 2001 to 2022 have had a significant impact on the functioning of local governments. The increase in the number of independent councillors in recent years has contributed to a greater diversity of representation in local governments. Independent councillors often represented different social groups and interests, which led to a more comprehensive approach to local problems. Independent councillors were perceived as less tied to partisan interests, which could lead to greater transparency and accountability in the management of local affairs. They could act more for the common good and less for partisan interests. The reduced dominance of political parties encouraged better cooperation between councillors. Independent councillors were more willing to cooperate across party lines, which led to more https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 306 effective decision-making. The decrease in politicisation led to fewer political conflicts in local governments. Fewer partisan disputes encouraged more constructive debate and a focus on solving local problems. The greater presence of independent councillors encouraged citizens to become more involved in local affairs. Independent councillors were often closer to their voters and could better represent their interests, which increased trust in local governments. Increasing the number of independent councillors led to changes in local politics. Independent councillors introduced new ideas and initiatives that would not have been possible within traditional party structures. The results of local elections from 2001 to 2022 had a positive impact on the functioning of local governments, leading to greater diversity of representation, transparency, cooperation, reduced political conflicts, citizen involvement and innovative changes in local politics. Thus, the presented results of local elections had a significant impact on both civil society and local governance. The increase in the number of independent councillors contributed to a greater diversity of representation in local governments, which allowed for better consideration of the interests of different social groups. Independent councillors, being less tied to party interests, could act more for the common good, which increased transparency and accountability in the management of local affairs. The reduced dominance of political parties encouraged better cooperation between councillors, which led to more effective decision-making and reduced political conflicts. The increased presence of independent councillors encouraged citizens to become more involved in local affairs, which increased trust in local government and promoted civic participation. Changes in local politics introduced by independent councillors often focused on specific local issues, which attracted voters and strengthened civil society. It is worth noting that this process of de-partisanisation could https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 307 be sustainable if civil society continues to grow stronger and electoral reforms favour independent candidates. In summary, the results of local elections had a positive impact on local governance and civil society, leading to greater diversity, transparency, cooperation, reduced political conflict, citizen involvement and innovative changes in local politics. Conclusion The analysis of the results of local elections in Slovakia in the years 2001-2022 confirms the research hypothesis that the increase in the number of non-partisan councilors leads to a greater diversity of representation, better cooperation between councilors and more effective management of local resources. The research results show that in regions where the number of independent councilors increased, greater transparency and accountability in the management of local affairs was observed. Independent councilors, being less tied to party interests, could act more for the common good, which promoted better cooperation and more effective decision-making. The increase in the number of independent councilors also contributed to a decrease in political conflicts in local governments and greater involvement of citizens in local affairs. Independent councilors often represented different social groups and interests, which led to a more comprehensive approach to local problems. The increase in the number of independent councilors also led to the introduction of new ideas and initiatives that would not be possible within the framework of traditional party structures. The importance of this problem lies in the fact that the political structure of local governments has a direct impact on the quality of life of residents. Understanding how the partisanship and impartiality of representatives affect local governance allows for better adaptation of government activities to the needs of the community. An increase in https://doi.org/10.33542/KKD-0453-8-15 308 the number of independent councilors can lead to more effective governance, greater transparency and accountability, which in turn improves the quality of life of residents. In summary, the results of local elections in Slovakia in the years 2001-2022 indicate a positive impact of the increase in the number of independent councilors on the functioning of local governments. An increase in the diversity of representation, better cooperation between councilors and more effective management of local resources are key benefits resulting from this process. Understanding these relationships is important for the further development of local democracy and improving the quality of life of residents. 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