Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, known for his Moscow-friendly stance, is under fire from the largest opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, which accuses him of steering the country toward leaving the European Union.
On Tuesday, Fico avoided a no-confidence vote in parliament after opposition lawmakers staged a walkout. The walkout was triggered by Fico’s request to move part of the session behind closed doors, citing the need to discuss a confidential security report. This move drew sharp criticism from Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Šimečka, who accused Fico of dodging accountability. Šimečka vowed to pursue another no-confidence vote.
Before the session dissolved, Šimečka directly challenged Fico, pointing to his December trip to Moscow as evidence of the prime minister’s increasingly pro-Russian agenda. He claimed Fico’s leftist-populist Smer party poses a direct threat to Slovakia’s EU membership.
“This is an existential threat to our national interests,” Šimečka said, arguing that Fico’s rhetoric and policies signal a readiness to align Slovakia with Moscow at the expense of its place in the European bloc.
Fico, for his part, has fueled speculation about Slovakia’s future in the EU. He has suggested the country should prepare for potential crises within the union, even hinting at the possibility of the bloc’s breakup. “The largest government party openly considers leaving the EU a viable political option,” Šimečka warned during the debate.
Fico’s skepticism of NATO and the EU has long been a feature of his political identity. He has criticized efforts to expand majority voting within the EU, warning against a “European superstate” where smaller nations like Slovakia would lose their sovereignty. “What happens if a few large countries decide: either give up your sovereignty, or go your own way?” he said recently, painting a picture of a future where Slovakia might be forced to reconsider its EU membership.
In addition to his EU critiques, Fico’s stance on Ukraine has drawn international attention. He has hardened his rhetoric against Kyiv, particularly after a dispute over gas transit. Ukraine recently declined to renew a gas contract with Russia, a move that disrupted supplies to Europe. Fico has threatened to cut electricity exports to Ukraine and restrict aid to Ukrainian refugees, positioning Slovakia as an obstacle to EU-wide efforts to support Kyiv.
Fico’s December visit to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marked a stark departure from the diplomatic norms of European leaders. He defended the trip as a response to Ukraine’s gas decision but has since faced backlash over his increasingly anti-Ukrainian policies. His government, which returned to power last year on a populist platform, pledged to halt aid to Ukraine and oppose its NATO membership bid, further aligning Slovakia’s foreign policy with Russian interests.
Critics see Fico’s actions as a significant pivot away from Slovakia’s commitments to the EU and NATO, with potentially far-reaching consequences for the country’s future.
