This is a general thread for Slovakian related news and discussions.
Departure of Slovakia PM leads to technocrat government
Monday, 8 May 2023 15:30
Slovakia's Prime Minister Eduard Heger resigned yesterday four months ahead of a parliamentary election in September.
Mr Heger had led a minority conservative government since 2021 but had been on fragile ground since December when he lost a no-confidence vote in parliament.
Mr Heger's resignation followed a week in which two of his cabinet ministers had also quit - agricultural minister Samuel Vlcan over allegations involving subsidies for a company that he owns and, one day later, the resignation of his foreign minister Ratislav Kacer.
The departure of Mr Heger raises the prospect of a return to office of former Prime Minister Robert Fico, who leads the populist, centre-left Slovak Social Democracy party (SMER).
Mr Fico's party is currently polling at 17%, the largest show of support for a party in Slovakia, just ahead of Voice, another centre-left party, according to Politico’s Poll of Polls.
Slovakia cuts aid to Ukraine after pro-Moscow candidate wins election
1 October 2023 • 3:44pm
Slovakia is set to cut military aid to Ukraine after its pro-Moscow former premier Robert Fico won the country’s parliamentary elections on Saturday.
Mr Fico’s Left-wing Smer-SSD party took the lead – though not the majority – by appealing to anti-western and pro-Russian sentiment.
Mr Fico’s campaign call “not a single round” for Ukraine appealed to voters in the nation of 5.5 million where only a minority believe Russia is at fault for the Ukraine war.
After the results were announced on Sunday, Mr Fico said Slovakia had “bigger problems” than Ukraine.
The country’s previous government had been steadfast in its support for Kyiv, supplying surface-to-air missiles and helicopters, and even donating its entire fleet of retired MiG-29 fighter jets.
Slovaks elect successor to first female president. An ally of populist premier is expected to win
1 hour ago
Slovaks headed to the ballots Saturday to elect a successor to Zuzana Čaputová, the country’s first female president and a staunch backer of Slovakia’s neighbor Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s two-year invasion. She is not seeking a second term.
Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, is considered a favorite in the race for the largely ceremonial post of president. He leads a field of nine candidates in the first round of the presidential election to become the country’s sixth head of state since Slovakia gained independence in 1993 after Czechoslovakia split in two.
Polls will close at 2100 GMT and results are expected Sunday.
If no candidate gets a majority, which is expected, the top two finishers will go through to a runoff on April 6.
Pellegrini, 48, who favors a strong role for the state, heads the left-wing Hlas (Voice) party that finished third in the Sept. 30 parliamentary election. His party joined a ruling coalition with Fico’s leftist Smer (Direction) party and the ultranationalist Slovak National Party. The new government immediately halted arms delivery to Ukraine.
Pro-EU Korčok Scores Surprise Victory in First Round Of Slovak Election March 25, 2024
Introduction:
(Eurasia Review) A pro-EU former Slovak foreign minister scored a surprise victory in the first round of a presidential election on Saturday (23 March), setting up a run-off vote with a key ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Slovakia’s presidential election is a chance for Fico, whose views on Ukraine have angered critics for veering too close to Russia, to strengthen his grip on power. Opposition forces want a counterbalance to his rule.
The government’s foreign policy shift, attempts to revamp the country’s criminal laws and clashes with media outlets have led to a series of protests and criticism from President Zuzana Čaputová, 50, who has been a fierce opponent of Fico but did not seek a new term.
Ivan Korčok, 59, a career diplomat who was minister in a past government, is seeking to follow her and won the most votes among nine candidates in the first round.
His 42.5% share of the vote, with 99.9% of districts counted, was above 37.1% for Peter Pellegrini, 48, the parliament speaker who heads junior government party Hlas (Voice).
caltrek wrote: ↑Mon Mar 25, 2024 9:36 pm Pro-EU Korčok Scores Surprise Victory in First Round Of Slovak Election March 25, 2024
Introduction:
(Eurasia Review) A pro-EU former Slovak foreign minister scored a surprise victory in the first round of a presidential election on Saturday (23 March), setting up a run-off vote with a key ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Slovakia’s presidential election is a chance for Fico, whose views on Ukraine have angered critics for veering too close to Russia, to strengthen his grip on power. Opposition forces want a counterbalance to his rule.
The government’s foreign policy shift, attempts to revamp the country’s criminal laws and clashes with media outlets have led to a series of protests and criticism from President Zuzana Čaputová, 50, who has been a fierce opponent of Fico but did not seek a new term.
Ivan Korčok, 59, a career diplomat who was minister in a past government, is seeking to follow her and won the most votes among nine candidates in the first round.
His 42.5% share of the vote, with 99.9% of districts counted, was above 37.1% for Peter Pellegrini, 48, the parliament speaker who heads junior government party Hlas (Voice).
Korčok or Pellegrini? Runoff voting in Slovak presidential election has begun
6. Apr 2024 at 8:00
After two weeks, polling stations have reopened in Slovakia, as runoff voting for the country's presidential election begins.
Slovak people will be deciding on who will replace President Zuzana Čaputová at the start of the summer. Čaputová announced last June that she wouldn’t seek reelection.
The Slovak Spectator will bring you live updates on Saturday night.
Speaker of Parliament and Hlas party leader Peter Pellegrini, supported by the ruling coalition (Smer-Hlas-SNS), and former foreign minister and diplomat Ivan Korčok, a non-partisan candidate supported by the opposition parties, made it to the runoff on March 23.
The brief but intense campaign was replete with smears and apprehensions, in contrast to the dreary campaign preceding the first round.
Slovak Presidency Goes to Prime Minister Fico’s Proxy by Tom Nicholson
April 6, 2024
Introduction:
(Politico) Speaker of Parliament Peter Pellegrini defeated pro-West career diplomat Ivan Korčok for the Slovak presidency in a runoff election Saturday, giving Prime Minister Robert Fico’s ruling coalition total control over the executive and legislative branches of government.
With 99.9 percent of ballots counted, Pellegrini had 53 percent of the vote, while Korčok received 47 percent.
“This victory is an enormous vindication for me,” Pellegrini said.
Korčok conceded late Saturday, saying: “I’m disappointed and bummed out, to be honest, but as a sportsman I have to respect the result.” At the same time, he denounced the aggressive campaign tactics of the Pellegrini camp.
In Slovakia, the president has limited powers that include appointing ambassadors, returning legislation to parliament and issuing amnesties.
