Slovakia’s former Prime Minister Robert Fico, known for his pro-Russian stance, has emerged as the winner in the country’s parliamentary election. Fico’s SMER party secured 23.3% of the vote, according to preliminary results. This result exceeded expectations as opinion polls earlier in the week showed a tight race between SMER and the liberal Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, which came in second with 17% of the vote. However, since SMER did not secure a majority, coalition negotiations involving multiple parties are expected to take place.
Despite not winning by a landslide, Fico’s victory demonstrates his enduring popularity in Slovakia. His party’s performance was better than anticipated and surpassed that of the PS, his main competitor. The election results also marked the success of the newly-formed Hlas party, which came in third with 15% of the vote. The outcome has set the stage for complex and potentially lengthy coalition negotiations, as seven political parties have crossed the 5% threshold required to enter parliament.
This election outcome has significant implications for Slovakia’s future political direction. With Fico’s win, there is a possibility of closer ties with Russia, a departure from the country’s previous pro-European Union stance. The formation of a coalition government will be crucial in determining the policies and direction Slovakia will take in the coming years. As the negotiation process begins, it remains uncertain how these different parties will come together and whether the resulting government will align with Fico’s pro-Russian ideology.
