The attempted murder of Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, highlights the perils democracy faces from individuals who turn to violent means to satisfy their political aspirations. According to officials within the Slovakian government, the suspect’s motivations were political, though further details about the assailant remain scarce.
In Ireland, such acts of politically driven violence have been minimal since the Belfast Agreement signed in 1998 which concluded the Troubles. However, presuming immunity from such threats would be a naive outlook. Available evidence shows a diminishing reverence, understanding and occasional fondness that once characterised the public’s relationship with those in administrative positions.
This week also brought news of a Green Party councillor being assaulted while campaigning in the northern part of Dublin city for the upcoming local elections. Yet another female councillor faced a similar attack in Hartstown, Dublin on the same day.
These assaults evidently breach the limits of legality. But there are subtler ways of intimidation that exist within the bounds of law, such as protests outside homes of politicians when their families are present, which is an especially disturbing instance.
A survey conducted by UCD academics involving members of Oireachtas and their political personnel puts a spotlight on the damaging effects of aggression on political health. The survey, although based on a limited and self-chosen sample, revealed a notable percentage reporting experiences of abuse, much of which was misogynistic and occurred on social media. A considerable portion of this abuse could be traced back to right-wing and anti-immigration sectors.
The survey moreover discovered that prolonged and intense instances of abuse drove politicians to confine their political engagement like campaigning, lessen their social media engagement and steer clear of contentious matters.
Such behaviour is clearly detrimental to the political landscape and the well-being of our democracy. As such, the recent release of the report from the Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life, incorporating the aforementioned survey, is both appropriate and appreciable.
Facilitated by ex-Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan, the task group has put forth suggestions for endorsing and safekeeping politicians, with one such suggestion being a stronger collective approach from the Garda. In addition, there is a demand for social media firms to handle harmful content targeting politicians. Although there could be doubts about the success of these demands, given the companies’ past performance, it’s evident that these platforms remain fundamental to the issue. They not only serve as a conduit for individual and often unidentified hate, but are also the crucial instrument for those manipulating things from behind the scenes, both locally and internationally.