08:20: In Slovakia, a party that is against Kiev aid wins the parliamentary elections
Slovakia’s populist Smer-SD party, which opposes aid to Ukraine, won parliamentary elections on Saturday. This election in this country of 5.4 million, a member of the EU and NATO, is seen as crucial to whether Slovakia can maintain its pro-Western course or turn more towards Russia.
Former Prime Minister Robert Fico’s party received 23.3% of the vote, ahead of the centrist Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, which was supported by 17.03% of voters after 99.43% of ballots were counted. The final results are expected this Sunday morning. Slovak President Zuzana Caputova said this week she would entrust the formation of the next government to the leader of the winning party, regardless of her “personal preference” as a former member of Progressive Slovakia.
During a stormy election campaign that was marked by particularly high levels of online disinformation and led to several clashes between candidates, Robert Fico attacked the EU and NATO as well as the LGBTQ minority. He also rejected any additional military aid to Ukraine. However, the election winner will need help from smaller parties to form a majority coalition in the 150-seat parliament.