Slovakia’s institutional system showed a sufficient degree of stability. The country’s economic development was stable too, as GDP growth neared 6 percent, unemployment declined and the annual inflation rate remained relatively low. The favorable trend of foreign direct investments’ inflow continued. Slovakia successfully seized most opportunities ensuing from its full-fledged EU membership. Although the center-right administration of Mikuláš Dzurinda did not control a majority in parliament, it managed to put through most reform laws. The government’s determination to keep in the reform course could not be shaken even by minor conflicts within the ruling coalition. Opposition parties, for their part, did not manage to railroad through parliament a constitutional bill seeking to shorten the current electoral term and call early parliamentary elections.