Degree and post-graduate degree from the College of Transport and Communications in Žilina, and awarded a Candidate of Sciences (CSc.) degree. He worked for the Transport Research Institute (VÚD) in Žilina as an economic analyst, 1979–1988. Later he was the director of an information technology section within the regional directorate of the Czechoslovak Railways (ČSD) in Bratislava, 1988–1990. Entered politics in 1990, a founding member of the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party (SDKÚ-DS) and was chairman of the party from 2000 to 2012. Prime minister of Slovakia, 1998-2006. Dzurinda introduced far-reaching reforms which have enabled Slovakia to begin the process of joining the EU and NATO. Re-elected Prime Minister, 2002-2006, whereupon he led Slovakia to become a member of the EU and NATO in 2004. Minister for Foreign Affairs,2010-2012. Member of the Slovakian Parliament, 2012-2016.  Awarded the F.A. Hayek International Prize for reforms and fight against bureaucracy.