Posts published in “Politics”

Slovak opposition parties have joined forces to initiate a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Robert Fico, accusing him of steering the country’s foreign policy in a direction that aligns with Russia’s interests. The move comes on the back of Fico’s controversial visit to Moscow, where he met with President Vladimir Putin.

On January 14, 2025, all opposition parties in Slovakia’s parliament declared their intention to challenge the Prime Minister’s leadership. The opposition’s primary criticism centres around his recent trip to Moscow and his apparent shift in Slovakia’s foreign policy stance. Michal Šimečka, leader of the social-liberal party Progressive Slovakia, expressed deep concerns over Fico’s actions, stating, “We clearly state that we will not allow Robert Fico to drive Slovakia eastward.”

Šimečka also accused Fico of neglecting his duties within Slovakia, emphasising the Prime Minister’s international travels, which he claimed were in stark contrast to the pressing domestic issues that required attention. “Instead of being in our homeland and solving the problems that concern the people, he is flying around the world, bowing to dictators, enjoying luxury somewhere in Vietnam,” Šimečka said. He further criticised Fico for “insulting our neighbours and partners” and for removing himself from governance, which should be focused on Slovakia’s well-being.

The opposition’s call for a vote of no confidence also stems from the coalition’s absence during an extraordinary parliamentary session that sought to reaffirm Slovakia’s commitment to the European Union (EU) and NATO. The opposition had intended to confirm that Slovakia’s future lies within these alliances, condemning the actions of any politicians who might lead the country towards international isolation. However, without the presence of coalition MPs, the opposition was unable to secure enough votes to proceed with the meeting. According to Šimečka, this failure was particularly embarrassing for MPs from the Voice party, who claim to support the EU and NATO publicly.

Critics argue that Fico’s tenure, which spans 14 years, has caused significant harm to Slovakia’s international standing, with Šimečka adding, “It’s impossible to list all the damage he has done to the country during this time.”

In a separate incident, Fico’s refusal to visit Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine has further fuelled the opposition’s campaign. His actions continue to raise doubts about his commitment to Slovakia’s alliances and its place within the broader European and international community.