Leftist opposition party wins parliamentary elections in Slovakia

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Oct 2023 17:23
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Slovak opposition leader affirms that he won't be questioning the country's membership in the EU.

Leader of Smer, Direction-Social Democracy, party Robert Fico, center, addresses the results of an early parliamentary election during a press conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023 (AP)

The State Commission for Elections in Slovakia announced that the Direction-Social Democracy party, also known as Smer, led by former Prime Minister Robert Fico, has officially won the parliamentary elections.

"The Smer party received most of the votes — 22,94%," commission's head Ladislav Orosz said.

Fico's victory in Slovakia is highly significant and I suspect just the first example of many to come of an overtly anti-NATO politician/government coming to power in Europe. There'll be a huge US/British pushback coming soon as well.
— Kit Klarenberg (@KitKlarenberg) October 1, 2023

Robert Fico, who is known for his critical approach to Western policies and affinity to Russia, affirmed that his party would not be questioning the republic's foreign policy on EU membership.

"None of us is planning [to leave the EU]. I have to say it once again so that it is clear: Slovak's foreign policy course will not change, we are in the European Union. Ladies and gentlemen, have you forgotten that without the Smer party, the referendum, the Schengen accession, the adoption of the euro would not have been successful?" Fico said at a press conference, noting that this, however, does not mean that Slovakia will not criticize what it does not like in the EU.

Fico also vowed to start peace talks on the Ukraine war if his party succeeds in forming a government.

Slovakia has been a generous provider of arms - including advanced hardware, such as fighter jets and air defenses - to Ukraine since the war broke out. The country also served as a hub for the transport of weapons provided by NATO members to Kiev and a maintenance station for military equipment damaged in the war.

However, Fico is known to be a fierce opponent of European and American policies of prolonging the war in the neighboring country. He has also publicly declared that he will not support Ukraine's accession to NATO. Campaigning under "Not a single round" for Kiev, Fico has put Western states on their toes.