Pro-Moscow Fico. That’s the key message of comments by foreign media mapping the snap election in Slovakia. The Austrian APA Press Agency, French AFP as well as the BBC and CNN underlined Slovakia’s possible shift towards the Kremlin. They have come to this conclusion following Fico’s pre-election narrative claiming that if he returns to power, he would halt Slovak military aid to Ukraine.
On the possibility of an end to Slovak military aid to Ukraine, the BBC writes: "The threat has caused concern among members of the European Union and Nato. However, it has gained support on social networks among Slovaks, who traditionally have warm feelings towards Moscow. "
The results are likely to challenge the united stance of NATO and the EU towards Ukraine, CNN believes. The server points out that Fico must first find a coalition partner. "When he was in opposition, Fico became a close ally of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, especially when it came to criticizing the European Union,” claims CNN. There is speculation that if returned to power, Fico and Orbán could team up to put obstacles in front of Brussels. “If Poland's ruling Law and Justice party manages to win a third term in next month's Polish parliamentary elections, this bloc of troubled countries in the EU could get even stronger," CNN warns.
Also German weekly Die Zeit writes about fears in Brussels that Fico could team up with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. According to the daily, this could lead to disputes with the EU over the rule of law, migration issues and the war in Ukraine. “But Fico's pragmatism from his earlier terms, when he brought Slovakia into the eurozone and largely avoided conflicts with EU and NATO partners, has eased some of these concerns,” concludes Die Zeit.
The Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza writes that the most likely post-election scenario in Slovakia is a coalition of Smer, Hlas and nationalists from the SNS party. "The SNS chairman is Andrej Danko, who is openly pro-Russian and opposes supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia. Robert Fico, who has announced that he will stop arms deliveries to Ukraine after coming to power, is of a similar mind," the Polish newspaper said.
"European liberals are probably not happy about Robert Fico's victory," writes the Hungarian daily Magyar Nezmet. "The politician stressed several times in the campaign that Slovakia would not send more ammunition to Ukraine if he was elected. He will stop military deliveries altogether. In addition, Fico is also pushing for a tougher approach to migration. In these two areas, Hungary may gain a new ally," the Hungarian newspaper added.
Slovakia's foreign policy orientation won't change, Smer-SD chairman Robert Fico told a press conference on Sunday dedicated to the party's victory in Saturday's parliamentary election.
Fico stressed that Slovakia is part of the European Union, and he pointed out that Smer-SD supported the referendum on joining the EU. As for illegal migration, if the party forms part of the future government, it wants to restore checks on the border with Hungary at the first cabinet meeting.
"We aren't out of touch with reality, but that doesn't mean we won't be critical of things we don't like about the EU," said Fico, adding that he regrets, for example, that the EU isn't currently a peace project and that it isn't less dependent on the USA. "Not even a millimetre will change in the anchoring of Slovakia," he repeated.
As for aid to Ukraine, according to Fico, people in Slovakia have bigger problems.
"Ukraine is a huge tragedy for everyone," he said, adding that if Smer-SD joins the future government, it will do everything it can to find the fastest possible route to peace negotiations. He rejects further killings, expressing a preference for longer negotiations on compromises. According to him, his party is ready to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine and also to help in rebuilding the state, but he has a different opinion when it comes to supplying armaments.
It is in the interests of the Czech Republic that its own path and Slovakia's don't diverge and that above-standard relations are maintained, stated Czech President Petr Pavel on Sunday in response to the results of the snap parliamentary election in Slovakia.
"Of course, I followed the Slovak election with interest. It was held democratically, with a record turnout, and the will of the people must be respected," emphasised the Czech head of state.
Pavel added that the post-election talks will show what kind of government Slovakia will have and what path it will decide to take.
I believe that the Czech Republic will continue to work closely with Slovakia at the government level for the benefit of both countries, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala wrote on a social network on Sunday in response to the results of the Slovak parliamentary election.
"I watched the results of the Slovak election, and my wish for the Slovaks is that the post-election talks will lead to the formation of a good government," said the Czech premier.
According to him, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are connected not only by deep historical ties and proximity, but also by friendly relations at all levels.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Sunday congratulated Smer-SD chairman Robert Fico on the X social network on his victory in Saturday's snap parliamentary election.
"Guess who's back! Congrats to Robert Fico on his unquestionable victory in the Slovak parliamentary election. It's always good to work with a patriot. I'm looking forward to it!" wrote Orban.
