Robert Fico in Brussels. (source: TASR)
Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Mixed messages over Slovakia’s support for Ukraine. Fico IV is rushing to adjust the state to its needs. Šutaj Eštok survives no confidence vote, and Šefcovič is Europe’s Mr. Fix It. Plus a viewing tip.
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Changes will be big – and fast
There remains no definite answer to where exactly the fourth government of Robert Fico stands on Ukraine, especially not after last Thursday, when Fico met (separately) with both the US and the Russian ambassadors. This was shortly after Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár met his Ukrainian counterpart – and prompted a small sigh of relief among his NATO partners when he showed a much more welcoming face than the one Smer displayed throughout its pre-election campaign, during which it mainly echoed Russian propaganda messages.
But back home in Slovakia, any sigh of relief would be an act of sheer folly. Fico’s government has started moving fast and is bending the state administration to its advantage for a comfortable term – ideally, from its point of view, one that will stretch into many more. Rapid steps are being taken – and not just in the Interior Ministry, which is the most closely watched, given the history of Fico’s former governments.
