The successful reconversion of Robert Fico: a look back at the career of a controversial politician
Behind the scenes of Slovak politics, a name has made a comeback to the forefront: Robert Fico. Former Prime Minister, removed from power following a resounding scandal, he was able to bounce back and reinvent himself to regain ground in the Slovak political landscape. A look back at the political rebirth of Robert Fico, a man with an eventful career.
Robert Fico’s meteoric rise began in the 2000s, when he was elected Prime Minister of Slovakia. His charisma and populist rhetoric had won over many voters, allowing him to form a government. However, his political career was shaken in 2018 by the murder of an investigative journalist, Jan Kuciak, who exposed links between Fico’s party and the mafia.
Faced with popular pressure and anti-government protests, Robert Fico was forced to resign as Prime Minister. It could have been the end of his political career, but Fico was able to bounce back in a surprising way.
Today, he is back on the forefront of Slovak politics, with victory in the recent parliamentary elections. His party, Smer-Social Democracy, managed to obtain a significant share of the vote and is even ahead of the centrist Progressive Slovakia party. This victory, although not sufficient to constitute a government on its own, confirms the return to strength of Robert Fico.
How to explain this political renaissance? Robert Fico knew how to adapt to a new media environment. He has opted for more social media-focused communication, using platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and Telegram to speak directly to his voters. This strategy allowed him to reach a wider audience and convey his messages without the intermediary of the press.
But that’s not all. Fico also played on populism and fake news to regain his place on the political scene. A 2022 survey found that more than half of Slovaks are receptive to conspiracy theories, believing in the existence of secret groups seeking to establish a totalitarian world order. Fico was able to exploit this trend, using disinformation as a campaign tool. His virulent speeches against migrants and LGBT+ people resonated with part of the Slovak electorate.
Finally, the personality of Robert Fico does not leave you indifferent. A fan of big cars, bodybuilding and admirer of Vladimir Putin, he embodies the image of a strong and authoritarian man. This charisma and this proximity to power have attracted many voters who see in him a leader capable of guaranteeing stability and well-being.
Robert Fico was able to rebuild and reinvent himself politically. His recent victory in the legislative elections is proof of this. However, his journey also raises questions. What will be the consequences of his return to the Slovak political scene? What are his true motivations and intentions? So many questions which remain unanswered and which will perhaps only be revealed in the next chapters of the political history of Slovakia.