The Slovak opposition has motioned a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Robert Fico and his government. Leaders of the pro-war opposition, consisting of Progressive Slovakia (PS), Freedom and Liberty (SaS), and the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), announced their decision on Tuesday, stating that despite their differences, they must act collectively to send a clear message. They argued that it is impossible to allow the government to continue its current course. The opposition also invited the non-parliamentary party The Democrats and the parliamentary movement SLOVENSKO, led by controversial former Prime Minister Igor Matovič, to join their cause.
Opposition leaders stated they would table the motion of no confidence in Fico’s government as soon as possible, accusing him of ‘dragging Slovakia toward Moscow.’ They also called for a resolution reaffirming their commitment to the EU and NATO, fostering neighbourly cooperation, and unequivocally rejecting Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Fico needs 75 votes in the 150-seat parliament to be ousted, but the united opposition forces currently hold only 71—leaving them four votes short, which must come from the ruling coalition. However, Michal Šimečka, leader of PS, expressed confidence that ‘at least four MPs from Hlas-SD agree with their stance.’
Public Enemy of the Pro-War Establishment
Robert Fico and SMER-SD won the parliamentary elections in September 2023 with 23 per cent of the vote, forming a coalition with the right-wing Slovak National Party (SNS) and the social-democratic populist party Hlas. The coalition’s wide range of political views has already made governing challenging, but considering Slovakia’s chaotic political climate, it is a notable achievement that the coalition has managed to hold together thus far.
As promised during his campaign, Slovakia’s policy towards Ukraine has undergone a 180-degree shift under Fico’s leadership. Prior to the 2023 elections, the progressive government pledged unconditional military and financial support to Kyiv. Bratislava provided the Ukrainian army with Zuzana 2 howitzers, Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets, and ammunition. Slovakia also plays a key role in the repair of Ukrainian military equipment.
However, with Fico in power, state-level arms deliveries have ceased—although private contractors are still permitted to export arms. The Slovak prime minister has become one of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s closest allies within the EU in advocating for peace in Ukraine. Fico’s persistent calls for a ceasefire and peace negotiations have unsurprisingly earned him the disapproval of pro-war advocates in Brussels and through the EU.
Moreover, Fico, like Orbán, does not believe that the war in Ukraine necessitates Europe abandoning the cheap Russian energy that has long underpinned its economic performance. To ensure Slovakia’s energy security, the prime minister has maintained relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, drawing the usual accusations of being ‘pro-Russian,’ a ‘Russian asset,’ and other derogatory labels.
This stance has also been a source of tension between Fico and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in recent days. Following Kyiv’s decision to halt Russian gas transit through Ukraine on 1 January, Fico’s sharp criticism of Zelenskyy sparked days of heated exchanges between the two leaders on social media.
Zelenskyy accused Fico of miscalculating in his foreign and energy policies, criticising his aspirations for long-term cooperation with Moscow as a mistake. Ukraine’s president claimed that he had offered Slovakia assistance in adapting to the cessation of Russian gas transit, but alleged that the Slovak prime minister ‘arrogantly refused.’
Zelenskyy further accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of instructing Fico to open a ‘second front’ against Ukraine, referencing the Slovak PM’s threat to halt electricity shipments to Ukraine in response to the gas transit cutoff.
In May last year, Robert Fico survived an assassination attempt, having been shot five times. He was immediately taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and underwent several life-saving operations. In his first public speech following his recovery, Fico attributed the attack to the hatred fomented by the opposition.
The assassin was later revealed to have participated in pro-Ukraine demonstrations and to have opposed Fico’s pro-peace policies. Some argue that the attempted assassination of Fico may be linked to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July, suggesting that the pro-war establishment could be behind both incidents.
Fico’s SMER-SD party has lost approximately 3 percentage points in popularity since the elections, while PS is currently polling first at 23 per cent. However, even if the vote of no confidence succeeds and early elections are held, Fico would still have a stronger chance of forming a government than the opposition parties.
The date of the no-confidence vote has yet to be determined. The final decision rests with Deputy Speaker Peter Žiga (Hlas), who is currently presiding over the parliament.
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