IF the current opposition party Smer wins the upcoming general election, it is unlikely to form a coalition government with the Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS), say experts as well as politicians.
According to sociologist Pavel Haulík, Smer would probably first approach the conservative right wing Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), and possibly even invite a third member of the coalition government, such as the Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK) or the Free Forum (SF), the daily SME wrote.
Furthermore, PM Mikuláš Dzurinda's Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) might offer an alternative right-wing government, possibly inviting HZDS as the next member of this coalition government as well, Haulík noted.
Only if none of these options succeeded would Smer and HZDS consider forming a coalition, as it would "not be a very good for Smer from the international policy view," he said, adding much will depend on the position HZDS leader Vladimír Mečiar takes.
Political analyst Miroslav Kusý is also skeptical about any cooperation between Mečiar and Fico.
"Their mutual conflicts are too strong and Mečiar's reputation would be a burden for Smer," he said.
Compiled by Martina Jurinová from press reports
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