The prime minister “deviated significantly from party family values”.
This happened quickly: just one day after the formation of the Slovak government coalition made up of the left-populist Smer, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, the social democrat Hlas and the right-wing populist Slovak National Party (SNS), Smer and Hlas were expelled from the country. the Social Democratic Party of Europe (PSE).
“This step was taken after Smer president Fico clearly deviated from the values of the PES family,” said an official PES statement. It is incompatible with social democratic values that Smer and Hlas have entered into a coalition with the SNS. The national conservative party is criticized for its Russia-friendly policies and euroscepticism.
Fico’s relationship with the PSE has been tense for months: the left-wing populist is controversial due to his pro-Russian stance; during the election campaign he announced that he wanted to stop Slovak arms deliveries to Ukraine. He also criticizes EU sanctions against Russia. (ag./red.)