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.

Video

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.

Robert Fico, pictured attending the second session of the European Affairs Parliamentary Committee in Bratislava on October 26, 2023.

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’.

Speaker Peter Pellegrini (second from left) and his deputy speakers: Michal Šimečka (first from left), Andrej Danko (centre), Peter Žiga (second from right) and Ľuboš Blaha.

Charged ex-minister elected presiding officer of parliament

Deputy Speaker Peter Žiga from Hlas party faces corruption charges.

SNS leader Andrej Danko during a press conference on October 24, 2023.

President will appoint Fico cabinet on Wednesday

The SNS party has replaced its ministerial candidate with a less controversial politician.

Acting Justice Minister Jana Dubovcová during a government meeting on October 18, 2023.

Slovakia apologises to ex-interior minister Kaliňák

The apology to Smer’s future defence minister concerns the Twilight criminal case.

From left to right: Richard Takáč, Smer leader Robert Fico, Juraj Blanár, Ladislav Kamenický and Ľuboš Blaha.

Fico announces future Smer ministers, compliments Orbán

Smer nominated a pro-Russian MP with no diplomatic experience as foreign minister.

Potential interior minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok from the Hlas party.

Elite police investigators surprise Fico

Smer has threatened to fire top investigators dealing with cases linked to the party.

Národná Koalícia chair Rudolf Huliak.

First candidate from Fico’s ministerial list rejected by president

Ultranationalist MP Rudolf Huliak will not become environment minister.

Rudolf Huliak.

Climate denier nominated for environment minister prompts petitions

Thousands voice opposition to - and support for - appointment.

Martina Šimkovičová.

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.

Beata Balogová is Editor of the Sme daily.

Vengeful Fico, outrageous Danko, and Pellegrini who looks on

Politicians preoccupied with revenge should not return to power.

Pellegrini, Fico and Danko (left to right) signing their memorandum of understanding under the painting of Ľudovít Štúr.

Ten (or more) things to know about the emerging Fico government

It’s not as bad as it could have been. Or is it?

Smer chair Robert Fico (c) and Smer MEP Monika Beňová (l) during a press conference on October 1, 2023.
Video

European socialists suspend Smer and Hlas parties

The suspension of Smer MEPs from the S&D Group may follow next week.

Smer chair Robert Fico during a press conference on October 11, 2023.

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.

From left: Peter Pellegrini (Hlas), Robert Fico (Smer), Andrej Danko (SNS).

Who might sit in Fico's fourth cabinet

Smer, Hlas and SNS have signed a declaration on cooperation.

Peter Pellegrini and Robert Fico on billboards.

News digest: Pellegrini chooses Fico and Putin's admirer

New AmCham Slovakia director, emergency situation in Bratislava, and earthquake in eastern Slovakia.

Beata Balogová is Editor of the Sme daily.

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 chair Peter Pellegrini at the Presidential Palace on October 3, 2023.

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.

Hlas chair Peter Pellegrini (l) and Smer leader Robert Fico (r) meet in the historical parliamentary building on October 9, 2023 to receive a certificate confirming them as MPs.

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.

The Interior Ministry in Bratislava.

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.

SkryťClose ad