Former Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia’s SMER-SSD party has emerged victorious in the recent parliamentary election, defeating his progressive rival. Fico campaigned on ending military aid to Ukraine, a stance that resonated with a significant portion of the electorate. However, despite this victory, Fico will need to build alliances in order to form a government. With nearly complete results showing Fico’s party leading with 23.37% of the vote, it is clear that Slovakia is experiencing a shift towards nationalism and social conservatism.
While Fico’s party holds the lead, the HLAS (Voice) party, with 15.03% of the vote, could play a crucial role in the formation of the next government. Peter Pellegrini, the leader of HLAS, has kept his options open on potential coalitions, indicating the uncertainty surrounding Slovakia’s political future. The outcome of this election will not only impact domestic policies but also have broader implications for Slovakia’s role in the European Union and its stance on issues such as Ukraine and Russia.
If Fico and his SMER-SSD party succeed in forming the government, Slovakia may join Hungary in challenging the European Union’s consensus on support for Ukraine. This would be a significant blow to the bloc’s efforts to maintain unity in the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Additionally, a victory for Fico would signal a further shift in the region against political liberalism, particularly if the conservative PiS party wins the upcoming election in Poland. Fico’s party has been critical of social liberalism, which it sees as imposed by Brussels.
Fico’s party represents a more nationalist and socially conservative agenda, while the Progressive Slovakia (PS) party takes a liberal stance on green policies, LGBT rights, deeper European integration, and human rights. Despite favorable exit polls for PS, the final results favored Fico’s party, raising the possibility of his fourth stint as prime minister. The first party across the line is expected to receive a mandate to lead talks on forming a parliamentary majority and potentially a government.
Fico may align with HLAS, which split from SMER-SSD in 2020, and the Slovak National Party, another nationalist party. However, any coalition that PS could potentially form would likely need HLAS and additional right-wing or socially conservative parties. This would dilute PS’s socially progressive and EU-integration drive. The incoming government will also face significant challenges, such as a ballooning budget deficit, which is forecasted to be the highest in the eurozone.
Fico’s campaign tapped into the dissatisfaction with the previous center-right coalition, which collapsed last year, triggering the early election. His emphasis on concerns about migration and warming sentiments towards Russia resonated with many Slovaks, particularly on social media. However, Fico’s pledge to end military supplies to Ukraine and pursue peace talks puts him at odds with Ukraine and its allies, who argue that such a move would only embolden Russia.
The outcome of this election in Slovakia not only reflects the evolving political landscape in the country but also holds broader implications for European unity. As more countries shift towards nationalism and social conservatism, the challenge to the consensus on key issues such as Ukraine and EU integration grows. Maintaining unity within the EU becomes increasingly crucial, especially in the face of Russia’s aggression.
Fico’s victory in Slovakia’s parliamentary election represents a shifting political landscape in the country, characterized by rising nationalism and social conservatism. The formation of the next government remains uncertain, with potential coalitions needing to navigate differences on critical issues such as Ukraine and EU integration. The future of European unity hangs in the balance as Slovakia joins Hungary in challenging the bloc’s consensus. As this new government takes charge, its policies and priorities will shape not only the domestic landscape but also influence the broader European political landscape.