Slovakia's parliamentary elections have seen the populist Smer-SSD party, led by former PM Robert Fico, emerge as the victor with nearly 24% of the vote. This outcome was surprising as exit
polls had predicted a win for a liberal centrist party. Fico's party has promised an immediate end to military aid for Ukraine.
Robert Fico was previously compelled to resign as Prime Minister in 2018 following the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak. Now, he is expected to initiate coalition talks to form the next government.
The liberal Progressive Slovakia party, which had been projected to win the election, secured approximately 17% of the vote. The pro-European Hlas party, which may hold the key to forming the next government, came in third with 15%.
Peter Pellegrini, the former colleague of Fico and leader of Hlas, has not ruled out potential future coalitions, stating that Hlas is a necessary component for any functioning government coalition.
Fico's party may form a coalition with Hlas, which separated from Smer in 2020, and the nationalist Slovak National Party, which secured 5% of the vote. The new parliament could comprise up to 10 parties, ranging from libertarians to far-right, making the coalition-building process complex and lengthy.
Fico, who dismisses the label of "pro-Russian politician," has expressed his opposition to providing military support to Ukraine, a stance that has raised concerns among European Union and NATO members. However, it has garnered support on social media from Slovaks who traditionally have positive sentiments towards Moscow.
Slovakia has been a steadfast ally of Kyiv, providing military assistance, including surface-to-air missiles and helicopters, and donating its retired fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets.
The Progressive Slovakia party champions an "open, tolerant, cosmopolitan society" and advocates a liberal stance within the European Union, particularly on issues like green policies and LGBTQ+ rights.
In contrast, Smer characterizes this vision as "liberal fascism" and campaigns on stability, order, and social security. Fico has also expressed concerns about the increasing flow of migrants through Slovakia heading to western Europe. Photo by EU2017EE Estonian Presidency, Wikimedia commons.