Robert Fico, a prominent figure in Slovakian politics, has served as prime minister for the longest period since the country gained independence in 1993. Following the Velvet Revolution, which led to the fall of the Communist Party in Czechoslovakia, Fico founded the Smer party in the late 1990s and began his first term as prime minister in 2006. Governed as part of a coalition, the Smer party has shifted from left-wing to right-wing views on immigration and cultural issues, sparking international interest due to Fico’s connections to leaders like Vladimir Putin of Russia and Viktor Orban of Hungary.
Fico’s resignation in July 2018 came on the heels of mass protests following the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, who were investigating government corruption. The demonstrations, the largest since the Velvet Revolution, demanded governmental resignations and new elections. Despite Slovakia’s high rankings in press freedom, protesters sought broader changes to the government under Fico’s leadership. However, Fico made a return to power in the fall of the same year, forming a coalition government after campaigning against sanctions imposed on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.
Fico’s stance against sending ammunition to Ukraine and his alignment with pro-Russian sentiments sparked concerns among E.U. leaders, who feared a potential pro-Russian alliance with Viktor Orban of Hungary and Italy’s leader, Georgia Meloni. These fears were amplified by the seeming erosion of the pro-Ukrainian bloc in Europe following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022. In April, Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, secured the presidency in Slovakia, further strengthening political forces in Central Europe friendly to Russia with his opposition to providing military and financial aid to Ukraine.
The evolving political landscape in Slovakia under Fico’s leadership has garnered attention due to his shifting political alliances and policies that challenge E.U. stances on issues like Ukraine and Russia. Fico’s ability to form coalitions and maintain power despite mass protests and international scrutiny highlights the complex dynamics at play in Slovakian politics. His ties to figures like Putin and Orban continue to shape Slovakia’s political decisions and relationships with neighboring countries.
The implications of Fico’s return to power and victories like Pellegrini’s presidency suggest a growing influence of pro-Russian forces in Central Europe, posing challenges to the E.U.’s unity on matters relating to Russia and Ukraine. As Slovakia’s political landscape continues to shift, the country’s role within the E.U. and its alliances with neighboring nations remain topics of interest and concern for international observers. Fico’s leadership and policies are likely to continue shaping Slovakia’s political future and its relationships with key players in the region.
