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The Slovak Prime Minister faces no-confidence vote

Information

Slovak opposition leader Michal Simecka initiated a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Robert Fico’s leftist-nationalist government, alleging that Fico is setting the stage for Slovakia’s exit from the European Union. This move comes amidst Fico’s controversial foreign policy decisions, including maintaining relations with Russia during the Ukraine conflict, stopping military aid to Kyiv, and criticizing EU sanctions against Russia. These actions have fueled tensions with Ukraine, especially following the cessation of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine at the end of 2024. Despite these allegations, the no-confidence vote seemed unlikely to succeed due to the government’s narrow parliamentary majority, which was expected to support Fico.

Fico, leading the Smer-SSD party and serving his fourth term as prime minister, has expressed concerns about the EU’s stability, suggesting Slovakia should prepare for potential crisis scenarios, including the possible dissolution of the EU. He has warned about the implications of EU policies that might lead to a “superstate” and reduce national sovereignty, arguing that Slovakia should be ready for rapid global changes. His government’s majority is composed of Smer, the nationalist SNS, and the centre-left Hlas, though the latter has shown some dissent against Fico’s foreign policy, particularly regarding EU membership. Fico’s diplomatic engagements, including a private trip to Moscow to meet President Putin and visits to China, Brazil, and Turkey, underline his strategy to broaden Slovakia’s international ties, contrasting with his criticisms of EU and NATO directives.

Source: Reuters, Politico, DW

So what

This is an interesting test for Fico’s leadership, and while it seems likely that he will survive, it shows the clear growing opposition to his anti-EU views. Though it is unlikely this will change his policies in a big way, he will likely tone down the anti-EU and NATO a little to avoid another vote.

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