Slovakia: Agreement on three-party coalition under Fico “It was a massacre”: Ex-agent explains why Israeli secret services were surprised

Eleven days after parliamentary elections in Slovakia, two social democratic parties and a nationalist party agreed to form a three-party coalition.

According to the agreement signed by the three party leaders on Wednesday, the left-nationalist former long-term government leader Robert Fico will become prime minister again. Peter Pellegrini, the leader of the more liberal Social Democrats, takes over the role of speaker of parliament. The smallest coalition partner will be the pro-Russian Slovak National Party SNS. After the signing, Fico said he wanted to get the government together “as quickly as possible”. It is still unclear when this can be sworn in.

In writing, the three parties have guaranteed a foreign policy based on EU and NATO membership while “respecting Slovakia’s national interests.” Fico had already announced during the election campaign that if he took over the government, Slovakia would continue to help Ukraine, but no longer with weapons, but only with civilian goods.

Fico’s party “Directorate – Slovak Social Democracy” (Smer-SSD) emerged as the strongest force in the September 30 parliamentary elections. Pellegrini’s “Vote – Social Democracy” (Hlas-SD), which came third in the elections, initially left open whether it would be with Fico or with the second-place liberal party “Progressive Slovakia” (PS), led by EU parliamentarians. Michal Simecka and at least two smaller centerpieces. Right-wing parties form a joint government. (saw/sda/dpa)