Slovakia’s political landscape has witnessed a significant shift as the populist Smer-SD party, led by former Prime Minister Robert Fico, emerged victorious in the recent elections. Fico’s party secured 23 percent of the vote, surpassing the centrist Progressive Slovakia, which garnered 18 percent.
The Smer-SD party, characterized by its opposition to military aid for Ukraine and critical stance toward the European Union (EU) and NATO, will now face the responsibility of forming a new government in Slovakia.
Robert Fico, a prominent figure in Slovak politics, has been vocal about his stance on foreign policy issues. During the election campaign, Fico declared that Slovakia would not provide “a single round of ammunition” to Ukraine and advocated for improved relations with Russia. This position has raised concerns about a potential shift in Slovakia’s foreign policy to align more closely with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has faced criticism from the EU for rule-of-law issues and hampering efforts to support Ukraine.
President Zuzana Caputova, a former member of Progressive Slovakia and a longtime rival of Fico, has announced her intention to task Fico with forming the new government. Analysts speculate that this move could lead to a significant reorientation of Slovakia’s foreign policy, while Fico himself asserted that Slovakia’s focus on being an EU member would remain unchanged, although he reserved the right to criticize aspects of EU policies.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban extended his congratulations to Fico via social media, suggesting a potential alliance between the two leaders. “Always good to work together with a patriot. Looking forward to it!” Orban wrote.
Despite foreign policy debates, many ordinary Slovaks appear to prioritize economic concerns over foreign affairs. Inflation, described by some as “unbearable,” and the need for economic stability are high on the agenda for the incoming government.
The election campaign was not without controversy, with a surge in online disinformation targeting Progressive Slovakia chairman Michal Simecka and divisive rhetoric on issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and immigration.
Slovakia’s next parliament will include a diverse range of parties, including the centrist OLaNO party, the centrist Christian Democrats, and the right-wing SaS party.
Slovakia, a country that emerged from the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, is now at a political crossroads, with questions about its foreign policy orientation, commitment to the EU, and the potential implications of a government led by Fico’s party.
Sources By Agencies
