Mikulá Dzurinda is a former Slovakian Prime Minister who held the position from 1998 until 2006. He is a long-serving politician in Slovakian politics who has held a number of high-profile posts in the government. He was a founder member of the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), a conservative political party that was established in 1990. He was named Deputy Minister of Transportation and Posts of the Slovak Government following the first democratic general election in Czechoslovakia. During the era when Czechoslovakia was split and an independent Slovakia was formed, he was the KDH Deputy Chairman responsible for the economy. He then became the chairman of the Slovak Democratic Coalition (SDK), which he founded by combining KDH with four other opposition organizations. Eventually, the alliance defeated Prime Minister Vladimr Meiar’s cabinet in the polls, allowing him to create a new administration. After taking office as Prime Minister in 1998, he immediately set about boosting Slovakia’s position in international trade and began the process of joining the European Union and NATO. He also introduced a number of other progressive changes, which helped him win re-election to a second term as Prime Minister in 2002.
Childhood and Adolescence
Mikulá Dzurinda was born in the eastern Slovak town of Spisk tvrtok on February 4, 1955.
He enrolled in the College of Transport and Communications in ilina after finishing his basic education, and graduated in 1979.
Career of Mikuláš Dzurinda
Mikulá Dzurinda was hired as an economic analyst at the Transport Research Institute (VD) in ilina after graduating. He was employed there till 1988. He continued his schooling and got his Candidate of Sciences (CSc.) degree in 1988 after completing post-graduate scientific research at the College of Transport and Communications in ilina.
In 1988, he was appointed director of an information technology unit of the Czechoslovak Railways (SD) regional directorate in Bratislava, a position he held until 1990.
In 1990, he entered the political arena for the first time. He joined the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), a conservative political organization, as a founding member, and thus began his political career. In the same year, the country held its first democratic general election, and he was elected as the Slovak Government’s Deputy Minister of Transportation and Posts in 1991. He was elected to the Slovak parliament the following year (National Council of the Slovak Republic).
In 1993, Czechoslovakia broke up, and Slovakia became an independent country. Mikulá Dzurinda was the KDH Deputy Chairman in charge of the economy at the time. In March 1994, Jozef Moravk was elected Prime Minister, and Dzurinda served as Minister of Transportation, Posts, and Public Works during his tenure. However, Moravcik’s term ended in October of the same year, and after Vladimr Meiar’s victory in the 1994 general election, Dzurinda returned to the opposition benches in parliament.
Prime Minister Vladimr Meiar has established himself as an authoritarian who has attempted to weaken opposition parties. In response, the Slovak Democratic Coalition (SDK) was formed in 1997 by five opposition parties: the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), the Democratic Party (DS), the Democratic Union (DU), the Social Democratic Party of Slovakia (SDSS), and the Green Party of Slovakia (SZS). In 1998, Mikulá Dzurinda was appointed as its spokesman and then chairman.
In 1998, the Slovak Democratic Coalition (SDK) ran for office and defeated Vladimr Meiar’s administration at the polls. On October 30, 1998, a new coalition government was created, and Mikulá Dzurinda was appointed Prime Minister of Slovakia.
He underlined the importance of bolstering the country’s standing in global trade and international ties with other nations. He enacted a number of reforms in order to improve relations with the European Union (EU). Slovakia was admitted to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2000 as a result of his efforts. During this time, a number of big foreign investors entered the Slovak market.
In the year 2000, he created the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDK), a new political party. He proved to be a capable leader, and in 2002 he was easily re-elected to a second term.
He was successful in getting Slovakia to join the EU and NATO in 2004 during his second term. Shortly after taking office in his first term, he began the process of gaining his country’s membership in international organizations.
The budget deficit was lowered to less than 3% of GDP during his term. In addition, the country’s economy grew at a rate of more than 6%. Several international investors, including automotive companies like PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Kia, were drawn to the country as a result of this.
During his presidency, the country saw many great improvements, but it also saw a high rate of unemployment. In the 2006 legislative election, his party was defeated by SMER, and he resigned as Prime Minister.
Major Projects of Mikuláš Dzurinda
Mikulá Dzurinda was a key figure in Slovakia’s accession to the EU and NATO during his time as Prime Minister.
During his time in office, he made many initiatives to lure international investment to Slovakia, and as a result, the country’s GDP grew by 6%.
Personal History and Legacy
Mikulá Dzurinda has two daughters with his wife Eva Dzurindová.
He is a fit and healthy man who enjoys long distance running and cycling. He has completed the International Peace Marathon (MMM) in Koice 13 times, as well as the prestigious New York City Marathon in 2001.
Estimated Net Worth
Mikulas is one of the wealthiest politicians and one of the most popular. Mikulas Dzurinda’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.