A populist, pro-Russia ex-premier leads a leftist party to win in Slovakia’s parliamentary elections

BRATISLAVA – A populist former high minister and his leftist party gained parliamentary elections in Slovakia, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message, in accordance to nearly entire effects.

Former Prime Minister Robert Fico and the leftist Smer, or Direction, party led with 22.9%, the Slovak Statistics Office stated early Sunday after finishing the rely of 99.98% of the votes from some 6,000 polling stations.

The election Saturday used to be a check for the small jap European nation’s support for neighboring Ukraine in its struggle with Russia, and the win via Fico may just pressure a fragile unity in the European Union and NATO.

Fico, 59, vowed to withdraw Slovakia’s army give a boost to for Ukraine in Russia’s war if his try to go back to energy succeeded.

The nation of five.5 million other folks created in 1993 following the breakup of Czechoslovakia has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia invaded final February, donating hands and opening the borders for refugees fleeing the struggle.

With no party profitable a majority of seats, a coalition authorities will want to be shaped. The president historically asks an election’s winner to check out to shape a authorities, so Fico is most likely to change into high minister once more. He served as high minister in 2006-2010 and once more in 2012-2018.

A liberal, pro-West newcomer, the Progressive Slovakia party, used to be a far away 2d, with 18% of the votes.

Its chief Michal Simecka, who’s deputy president of the European Parliament, stated his party revered the outcome. “But it’s bad news for Slovakia,” he stated. “And it would be even worse if Robert Fico manages to create a government.”

He stated he’d like attempt to shape a governing coalition if Fico fails.

The left-wing Hlas (Voice) party, led via Fico’s former deputy in Smer, Peter Pellegrini, got here in 3rd with 14.7%. Pellegrini parted techniques with Fico after the scandal-tainted Smer misplaced the former election in 2020, however their imaginable reunion would spice up Fico’s probabilities to shape a authorities.

Pellegrini changed Fico as high minister after he was forced to resign via primary anti-government boulevard protests following the 2018 killing of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee.

Pellegrini congratulated Fico on his victory however stated that two former high ministers in one authorities may no longer paintings smartly.

“It’s not ideal but that doesn’t mean such a coalition can’t be created,” he stated.

Another possible coalition spouse, the ultranationalist Slovak National Party, a transparent pro-Russian staff, won 5.6%.

Those 3 events would have a parliamentary majority in the event that they joined forces in a coalition authorities.

Fico opposes EU sanctions on Russia, questions whether or not Ukraine can drive out the invading Russian troops and needs to block Ukraine from becoming a member of NATO.

He proposes that as an alternative of sending hands to Kyiv, the EU and the U.S. will have to use their affect to drive Russia and Ukraine to strike a compromise peace deal.

Fico’s critics fear that his go back to energy may just lead Slovakia to abandon its direction in different ways, following the trail of Hungary below Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and to a lesser extent of Poland below the Law and Justice party.

Hungary has been sanctioned by the EU for alleged rule-of-law violations and corruption, whilst EU establishments say Poland has been on a slippery slope clear of the EU’s rule-of-law rules. Fico has threatened to brush aside investigators from the National Criminal Agency and the particular prosecutor who offers with essentially the most severe crimes and corruption.

Hungary additionally has — uniquely amongst EU international locations — maintained shut members of the family with Moscow and argued towards supplying hands to Ukraine or offering it with financial help.

Fico repeats Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unsupported declare that the Ukrainian authorities runs a Nazi state from which ethnic Russians in the rustic’s east wanted coverage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish and misplaced kinfolk in the Holocaust.

Known for foul-mouthed tirades towards newshounds, Fico additionally campaigned towards immigration and LGBTQ+ rights.

The populist Ordinary People staff, the conservative Christian Democrats and the pro-business Freedom and Solidarity additionally gained seats in parliament.