Ex-culture minister Maďarič leaves Smer

He does not want to be in a coalition where a politician supporting the politics of Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán has the main word.

Marek MaďaricMarek Maďaric (Source: TASR)

Smer MP and former Culture Minister Marek Maďarič announced his decision to leave the ruling coalition and the Smer party on October 25.

As one of the reasons for his departure he stated the fact that he is not voting for an increasing number of the proposals submitted either by the government or the coalition.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

“At the same time, I don’t want to be part of a coalition in which a politician who supports the style of [Hungarian PM Viktor] Orbán’s politics of weakening democracy and turning away from the European Union, has the main word,” Maďarič explained, as quoted by the Sme daily.

SkryťTurn off ads
Read also: Danko wants to follow Orbán's example Read more 

Fico not surprised

Smer Chair Robert Fico was not surprised by Maďarič’s decision.

“Marek Maďarič left a long time ago,” he said, as quoted by Sme, explaining that he resigned from the post of Smer’s Deputy Chair last year and later left the post of Culture Minister. “We expected that this formal step would come in time.”

The departure will not affect the operation of the ruling coalition because Maďarič has recently not been voting with the rest of the coalition, Fico added.

At the same time, the Smer Chair stressed that he and Maďarič remain very close, as reported by Sme.

Maďarič’s past

Maďarič has been considered the main ideologist in Smer and one of Fico’s closest collaborators. He was, for example, responsible for several election campaigns.

SkryťTurn off ads

However, during the past year he has become one of the biggest critics in Smer who disagrees with its Chair in many matters. For example, after last year’s regional elections, he said that Smer needed personnel changes. He was isolated and resigned from the position of Deputy Chair during the December 2017 congress.

Read also: Culture Minister Maďarič resigns Read more 

After the February murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, Maďarič also left his post at the Culture Ministry. He remained a member of Smer, even though he often voted differently from the ruling coalition, Sme wrote.

Moreover, after the scandal with tax fraud suspect Ladislav Bašternák came out, he said that if he were Robert Kaliňák, he would step down from the post.

Top stories

Peter Pellegrini and Robert Fico shake hands in parliament.

Pellegrini loses steam as polls point to Fico comeback

It seems the much-feared return of Smer is under way.


5 h
Volkswagen will make all-electric versions of the Porsche Cayenne luxury SUV.

News Digest: Volkswagen Slovakia to produce all-electric luxury SUV

LGBT+ minority could face new difficulties, a suspect is charged in the Daniel Tupý murder case.


24. mar
Filip Toška holding chard in the hydroponic Hausnatura farm.

How a Mayan doomsday prophecy took a Slovak to hi-tech agriculture

Hydroponic farm run out of former telephone exchange.


9. mar
A wolf in nature.

Three-legged wolf survives cold winters thanks to his wolf family's support

Muránska Planina Park crossed by five wolf packs.


25. mar
SkryťClose ad