Title: A new political era in Slovakia: Robert Fico tasked with forming a new government
Introduction :
In the recent Slovak parliamentary elections, the Smer-SD party, led by Robert Fico, won with 23% of the vote. In a surprising political turnaround, Slovakia’s president, Zuzana Caputova, tasked Fico with forming a new government. The decision raises questions about the future direction of Slovakia’s foreign policy, as Fico is known for his pro-Russian positions and his opposition to military aid to Ukraine. In this article, we will examine the implications of this appointment and the resulting international reactions.
The controversial choice of Zuzana Caputova:
By entrusting the formation of the new government to Robert Fico, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova defended respect for the result of the democratic elections. However, this decision was criticized due to Fico’s positions on Ukraine and Russia. During the election campaign, Fico said Slovakia would no longer provide military aid to Ukraine, calling for better relations with Russia. This position raises concerns about a possible radical change in Slovakia’s foreign policy and a rapprochement with Viktor Orban, the Hungarian Prime Minister known for his nationalism.
International reactions:
Fico’s appointment sparked varying reactions on the international scene. In Ukraine, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kouleba said he respected the choice of the Slovak people while stressing that it was too early to say how this might affect Slovakia’s position vis-à-vis Ukraine. On the other hand, Viktor Orban congratulated Fico on his victory and said he looked forward to working with him, suggesting collaboration between the two countries. This reaction worries some who fear a growing influence of Hungary on Slovak politics.
Formation of a government coalition:
To govern, Fico will have to form a coalition to obtain a majority in Parliament, made up of 150 seats. His party, Smer-SD, having obtained 42 seats, will have to find potential partners. The left-wing Hlas-SD party, led by Peter Pellegrini, former Prime Minister, is one of the potential allies with its 27 seats. An alliance with the nationalist SNS party, which won 10 seats, could also allow Fico to form a majority of 79 seats. The composition of this coalition will provide indications on the policies that will be implemented in the coming years.
Conclusion :
The appointment of Robert Fico to form a new government in Slovakia marks an important turning point in the country’s politics. His controversial positions on Ukraine and Russia raise concerns about the future of Slovak foreign policy. International reactions, with congratulations from Viktor Orban and caution from Ukraine, reflect the geopolitical issues surrounding this appointment. The evolution of the government coalition will provide indications on the policies that will be prioritized in the years to come.