2023 parliamentary election
The 2023 early parliamentary election was held in Slovakia on Saturday, September 30. Most public opinion polls indicated that the populist Smer party, led by three-time former prime minister Robert Fico, would come first. Smer left office in 2020, after eight years in power, following the surprise victory in that year’s parliamentary election of the self-proclaimed anti-corruption movement OĽaNO. Most of the other political parties in Slovakia’s fragmented political scene tried to stop Smer, a party under which organised crime thrived, from returning to government. Based on the official results, Smer needs to find coalition partners in order to form a government. Whether Fico, who expresses openly pro-Russian opinions and has lately grown increasingly close to Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán, will be able to do this remains to be seen.
News digest: More money for Ukraine? We have four conditions, says Fico
Halloween events in and outside Bratislava, good news from Slovakia, and Fico does not plan to meet with Putin - for now.
A new age of Fico dawns in Slovakia
The new Slovak premier refuses to supply Ukraine with any more weapons and wants to see NGOs labelled as ‘foreign agents’.
Charged ex-minister elected presiding officer of parliament
Deputy Speaker Peter Žiga from Hlas party faces corruption charges.
President will appoint Fico cabinet on Wednesday
The SNS party has replaced its ministerial candidate with a less controversial politician.
Slovakia apologises to ex-interior minister Kaliňák
The apology to Smer’s future defence minister concerns the Twilight criminal case.
Fico announces future Smer ministers, compliments Orbán
Smer nominated a pro-Russian MP with no diplomatic experience as foreign minister.
Elite police investigators surprise Fico
Smer has threatened to fire top investigators dealing with cases linked to the party.
First candidate from Fico’s ministerial list rejected by president
Ultranationalist MP Rudolf Huliak will not become environment minister.
Climate denier nominated for environment minister prompts petitions
Thousands voice opposition to - and support for - appointment.
News digest: Disinformation TV star might run Culture Ministry
Europe's answer to cheap Chinese e-cars will come from Slovakia, a Ukrainian artist who accepted her own self in Slovakia, and a queer theatre festival.
Vengeful Fico, outrageous Danko, and Pellegrini who looks on
Politicians preoccupied with revenge should not return to power.
Ten (or more) things to know about the emerging Fico government
It’s not as bad as it could have been. Or is it?
European socialists suspend Smer and Hlas parties
The suspension of Smer MEPs from the S&D Group may follow next week.
Fico's close aide dated a Hungarian informant
Viera Teťáková, who now works for the MOL refinery, used to be Fico's chief of protocol.
Who might sit in Fico's fourth cabinet
Smer, Hlas and SNS have signed a declaration on cooperation.
News digest: Pellegrini chooses Fico and Putin's admirer
New AmCham Slovakia director, emergency situation in Bratislava, and earthquake in eastern Slovakia.
Pellegrini failed. He prioritised his own interests
Peter Pellegrini will return to Robert Fico, even if it will be an embrace of death for his party.
Hlas rejects liberals, Fico closer to his fourth premiership
Progresívne Slovensko chair Michal Šimečka thinks that Hlas leader Peter Pellegrini had this plan from the beginning.
Slovak election winner's future hangs on a 'traitor'
In post-election talks, populists and liberals are battling for the support of Hlas in order to form a government and set the course for Slovakia over the next four years.
News digest: Parties jockeying for single ministry is all you need to know about what's at stake
Polish writer on her love of Slovakia, temporary interruption of trains, and a tip for a challenging hike.
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- From not knowing an English word to being a noted radio announcer in the US Video
- Wish you were here: the lost spas of yesterday
- Northern lights put on a dazzling mid-year show over Slovakia
- Two Slovaks deported from US and Vietnam in separate incidents
- Rare brain-eating amoeba kills child in Slovakia
- ‘Go to hell’: Banners appear in eastern Slovakia targeting Fico over his ties to Moscow
- From Seattle to Bratislava: an American’s reverse migration story
- A year later, Bratislava’s laser spectacle goes global
- Rare brain-eating amoeba kills child in Slovakia
- ‘Go to hell’: Banners appear in eastern Slovakia targeting Fico over his ties to Moscow
- News digest: Prešov picks a fight with a Russian ‘hero’ – and social media
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- Northern lights put on a dazzling mid-year show over Slovakia
- From not knowing an English word to being a noted radio announcer in the US Video
- From Seattle to Bratislava: an American’s reverse migration story
- A year later, Bratislava’s laser spectacle goes global
- Two Slovaks deported from US and Vietnam in separate incidents
- Rare brain-eating amoeba kills child in Slovakia
- Wish you were here: the lost spas of yesterday
- From not knowing an English word to being a noted radio announcer in the US Video
- Biting the hand that feeds us
- He left Los Alamos to start over in Bratislava. Now he’s filing patents
- From Seattle to Bratislava: an American’s reverse migration story
- Bratislava, a blessing or a curse? Audio
- Rare brain-eating amoeba kills child in Slovakia
- A year later, Bratislava’s laser spectacle goes global
- The boat is ready. The lake, less so. Photo
- Two Slovaks deported from US and Vietnam in separate incidents
- Wish you were here: the lost spas of yesterday
- From not knowing an English word to being a noted radio announcer in the US Video
- News digest: Prešov picks a fight with a Russian ‘hero’ – and social media
- ‘Go to hell’: Banners appear in eastern Slovakia targeting Fico over his ties to Moscow
- Too little, too late? Bratislava Main Station’s revamp is still a distant prospect
- Northern lights put on a dazzling mid-year show over Slovakia
- Weekend: Folklore from around the world Photo
- A year later, Bratislava’s laser spectacle goes global
- Tax, audit and accounting firms face tech push and talent shortages
- News digest: Saints deserve a party, austerity can wait – Fico’s team goes big at Devín More articles ›
