Vladimir Mečiar is a Slovak politician who served as the Prime Minister of Slovakia during the 1990s. He was a key figure in the country's transition from Czechoslovakia to an independent nation in 1993. Mečiar's leadership was marked by a focus on nationalism and economic reforms, although his tenure was also criticized for authoritarian tendencies. Mečiar founded the Hnutie za demokratické Slovensko (Movement for a Democratic Slovakia) party, which played a significant role in Slovak politics. His government faced controversies, including issues related to media freedom and political opposition. Despite this, he remains an influential figure in Slovakia's political history.