Direction – Social Democracy
Smer – sociálna demokracia
AbbreviationSmer
LeaderRobert Fico
Deputy Leaders
See list
General SecretaryMarián Saloň
FounderRobert Fico
Founded8 November 1999 (1999-11-08)
Split fromParty of the Democratic Left
HeadquartersSúmračná 3263/25, 82102 Bratislava
Youth wingYoung Social Democrats
Membership (2022)Increase 13,095[1]
Ideology
Political positionCentre-left[17] to left-wing[18][19]
European affiliationParty of European Socialists (suspended)[20]
International affiliation
European Parliament groupNon-Inscrits[21]
Colours
  •   Red
  •   Navy blue
Slogan"Stability, order and social security" (2023)[22]
National Council
42 / 150
European Parliament
2 / 14
Regional governors[23]
1 / 8
Regional deputies[lower-alpha 1][23]
50 / 419
Mayors[lower-alpha 1][23]
516 / 2,904
Local councillors[lower-alpha 1][23]
2,364 / 20,462
Website
strana-smer.sk

Direction – Social Democracy (Slovak: Smer – sociálna demokracia), also commonly referred to as Smer, is a left-wing nationalist political party in Slovakia led by the incumbent prime minister Robert Fico.[24]

Founded by Fico in 1999 as a split from the post-communist Party of the Democratic Left, Smer initially defined itself as the Third Way party.[25] It adopted the epithet Social Democracy after merging with several minor center-left parties in 2005.[26] It dominated Slovak politics from 2006 to 2020, leading two coalition governments (2006–2010, 2016–2020) and one single-party government (2012–2016). During its 12 years in charge it continued the European integration of Slovakia, lifted some economic-liberal reforms of the previous center-right governments and introduced various social welfare measures.[27] Smer-led governments have been associated with numerous political corruption scandals, and have been accused by opponents to have resulted in a deterioration of the rule of law in Slovakia.[28][29][30][31][32]

Since the 2020 parliamentary election – its return to the opposition, Slovak authorities have been investigating wide-ranging cases of political corruption involving a number of Smer politicians and high-ranking officials linked to the party, with several individuals being convicted.[33][34][35] At the party congress in July 2020, following a major internal split (which resulted in the founding of the Hlas party), Fico announced a shift to "the rustic social democracy that perceives the specifics of Slovak reality".[36][37] Post-2020 Smer holds stances that have been described as nationalist, populist and Russophilic.[38][39][40][41][42][43][44]

In 2023, Smer won the parliamentary election with 23% of the vote and 42 seats in the National Council and subsequently formed the Fourth cabinet of Robert Fico.[45]

History

Foundation and early years (1999–2006)

Originally named Direction (Slovak: Smer), the party was founded on 8 November 1999, emerging as a breakaway from the post-Communist Party of the Democratic Left (SDĽ), the successor of the original Communist Party of Slovakia and the governing party from 1998 to 2002. Under Robert Fico, at the time one of the most popular politicians in the country, it quickly became one of the most popular parties in Slovakia, while the SDĽ experienced a constant decrease within popularity. In the 2002 Slovak parliamentary election, its first formal election period, it became the third-largest party in the National Council of the Slovak Republic, with 25 of 150 seats. In 2003, it changed its formal name to Direction (Third Way) (Slovak: Smer (tretia cesta))[46] and Party of Civic Understanding merged into the party.

In 2005, the party absorbed the SDĽ and the Social Democratic Alternative, a small social democratic party that split from the original SDĽ somewhat later than Direction did, in addition to the Social Democratic Party of Slovakia. Founded in 1990, the party became known for the leadership of Alexander Dubček, and Direction adopted the epithet Social Democracy. Following the party's victory in 2006, Smer entered into a coalition with the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS) and was readmitted into the Party of European Socialists (PES) in 2008. It later formed another coalition with the SNS in 2016.

Government (2006–2010)

In the 2006 Slovak parliamentary election, the party won 29.1% of the popular vote and 50 of 150 seats. Following that election, Smer formed a coalition government with the People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) and the SNS,[47] an extremist nationalist party.[48][49][50]

On 12 October 2006, the party was temporarily suspended from membership in the PES.[51] The resolution to suspend the party referred specifically to the PES Declaration "For a modern, pluralist and tolerant Europe", adopted in Berlin by the PES congress in 2001, which states that "all PES parties adhere to the following principles ... [and] to refrain from any form of political alliance or co-operation at all levels with any political party which incites or attempts to stir up racial or ethnic prejudices and racial hatred." In The Slovak Spectator, the PES chairman Poul Nyrup Rasmussen commented: "Most of our members stood solidly behind our values, according to which forming a coalition with the extreme right is unacceptable."[52] The party was readmitted on 14 February 2008 after its chairman Fico and SNS leader Jan Slota pledged in a letter to respect European values, human rights, and all ethnic minorities.[53]

Opposition (2010–2012)

Party logo from 2005 to 2019, which was used in several combined red, orange or green versions.

Although the party won the most votes in the 2010 Slovak parliamentary election, with a lead of 20% over the second-place Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party (SDKÚ),[54] they had not been able to form a government because of losses sustained by their coalition partners. Their result, 34.8%, gave them 62 of 150 seats in the National Council, but the HZDS failed to cross the 5% threshold, losing all their seats, and the SNS was reduced to nine seats. The four opposition centre-right parties (the Christian Democratic Movement, Freedom and Solidarity, Bridge, and SDKÚ) were able to form a new government.[55]

Government (2012–2020)

Party logo from 2019 to 2021

In the 2012 Slovak parliamentary election, Smer won 44.4% of the votes and became the largest party in the National Council, with an absolute majority of 83 seats (out of 150).[56] Fico's Second Cabinet was the first single-party government in Slovakia since 1993. In the 2014 European Parliament election in Slovakia, Smer came in first place nationally, receiving 24.09% of the vote and electing four Members of the European Parliament.[57]

Despite suffering a significant loss in support as a result of strikes by teachers and nurses earlier in the year,[58] Smer won the 5 March 2016 parliamentary election with 28.3% of the vote and 49 of 150 seats, and subsequently formed Fico's Third Cabinet in a coalition government with Bridge, Network, and the Slovak National Party. Prime Minister Fico resigned in the wake of the political crisis following the murder of Ján Kuciak and was replaced by Peter Pellegrini, with the same majority. However, Fico remained leader of Smer.

Opposition (2020–2023)

The party managed to score 18.29% in the 2020 Slovak parliamentary election, which was 2 to 3 percent more than the latest polls showed, but it was still a decrease of 10% compared to previous elections. The party occupied 38 seats in parliament. Pellegrini, the chairman of the Fico parliamentary group, became the vice-chairman of the National Council for the Opposition on the basis of post-election negotiations. In May 2020, two deputies for Smer (Ján Podmanický and Marián Kéry) founded a value policy platform with deputies from KDŽP, elected as a candidate of the Kotlebists – People's Party Our Slovakia. Because of this, Pellegrini sharply criticized them, while Fico defended Podmanický. In May 2020, Podmanický also left the Smer parliamentary group after criticism from his own ranks.

As early as April 2020, party vice-chairman Pellegrini announced his ambition to run for party chairman as Smer's most popular politician, winning 170,000 more votes than the chairman. Fico reacted strongly, saying that he did not intend to resign and wanted to remain at the head of the party, while Pellegrini gradually began to tighten his criticism of Fico and the party's situation. Pellegrini criticized the fact that the party's presidency had not met since the election and the date of the parliament was unknown. Pellegrini demanded that the assembly be held as soon as possible, while Fico insisted that the nomination assembly take place only at a ceremonial assembly in December 2020.

At a June 2020 press conference in Banská Bystrica, Pellegrini announced that he would resign as Vice-Chairman of Smer and leave the party in the near future. He also outlined the establishment of a new party, Voice – Social Democracy (Hlas), which he said should be social democratic, but refuse to be liberal. Around that time, Fico had already offered Pellegrini the position of party chairman, provided that he maintained his influence in the party, an offer which was rejected by Pellegrini. In the first FOCUS survey, 21.4% of respondents said they would vote for the new Pellegrini party, while those saying they would vote for the original Smer remained at 9.6%. At a press conference one week following the announcement of Pellegrini's departure, another 10 deputies announced they would leave the party, including Vice-Presidents Peter Žiga and Richard Raši, Bureau member Denisa Saková and long-standing deputies and party members. At the same time, together with Pellegrini, they announced the creation of a new social-democratic party at the press conference, which they would join. Political scientist Grigory Mesezhnikov postulated that after the departure of the Pellegrini group, the Smer could move further to the left into the spectrum of the radical to communist left.

Government (2023–present)

As Smer won the parliamentary election held on 30 September 2023 with 23% of the vote and 42 seats in the National Council, Robert Fico, the party's leader was given a mandate to form a government.[59] The Fourth cabinet of Robert Fico comprising Smer, Voice – Social Democracy (Hlas) and the Slovak National Party (SNS) sworn in on 25 October 2023.

Foreign policy

Fico has promised to cut all aid to Ukraine as a result of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, and has promised to block Ukrainian ascension to NATO should the subject be broached under his tenure. Fico has also stated that the Ukrainian government is run by neo-Nazis.[60]

In December 2023, Smer introduced a set of legal reforms.

It comprehends the abolition of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, whose activities the party has harshly criticized since its return to the opposition in 2020. The party argues that the aim of the reform is to eliminate presumed inconsistencies in the prosecution system and the alleged systemic bias of the institution. In a review for the government, Eduard Burda, dean of the Comenius University Law Faculty stated that a criminal group may be operating within Office of the Special Prosecutor and it must be checked. According to him, the office is a potential criminogenic factor, its prosecutors have a low quality of decision-making and there are suspicions of manipulation of criminal proceedings.

Radoslav Procházka, a lawyer and former politician is critical of the reform: "The optics are very bad, because instead of an extensive debate, this substantial change is to be adopted via an expedited procedure. If it passes, it is likely to reduce the speed and intensity of an important tool in fighting corruption. Nevertheless, a lot will depend on what the prosecutor general will do next with all the cases transferred to his office." Christian Wigand, the European Commission's spokesperson for rule of law expressed the Commission's disapproval of the fast-track procedure of introducing the reform: "The wide-ranging scope of the intended amendments and the numerous areas of EU law concerned require a thorough and sound analysis. This is why, in this letter, we have asked the Slovak government not to advance on the intended amendments as yet, and especially not to resort to a fast-track procedure without proper and thorough consultation." Daniel Lipšic, the incumbent special prosecutor interprets the reform as an attempt to halt investigations into individuals connected to the party: "What did change since 2020 is that this office has prosecuted or started prosecuting also very high-profile corruption and economic crime cases, which means that very influential politicians and people from business – including some very well-known oligarchs – are being prosecuted." The group of critics of the reform also comprehends Zuzana Čaputová, the incumbent President of Slovakia, the parliamentary opposition, and various NGOs, including the Slovak branch of Transparency International.

The set of reforms also includes the liberalization of the Slovak penal policy, which is generally considered stricter compared to other countries of the European Union. However, the motivation for the change has been questioned, as a number of its members are accused of criminal activity, while several individuals associated with the party have been convicted.

Ideology and policies

Economic policy

Smer advocates economically left-wing policies.

Foreign policy

Smer holds Russophilic and Eurosceptic stances on foreign policy; however, it claims to support Slovakia's membership in the European Union and NATO. The party expresses strong anti-Western, especially anti-American sentiment, often spreading Russian propaganda narratives.[61][62][63]

Regarding the Russo-Ukrainian War, Smer calls for an end to military aid to Ukraine as well as to sanctions against Russia. It interprets the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a proxy war between the US and Russia, with the latter "dealing with threats to its national interests". The party declares that the conflict was provoked in 2014 by "the extermination of citizens of Russian nationality by Ukrainian fascists".[64][65][66]

In its foreign policy manifesto, Smer calls for understanding with countries "with a form of government other than parliamentary democracy", referring to China and Vietnam.[67] During his premiership, party's leader Robert Fico praised the political systems of both countries, describing the Slovak one as clumsy and uncompetitive in comparison.[68] In 2007, Fico made an official state visit to the then leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, "discussing the fight against world imperialism" (citing Fico).[69]

Social policy

The party holds strongly conservative views on social issues with a record of anti-LGBT,[70][71] anti-Romani,[72][73] Islamophobic[74][75] and anti-immigration statements. It proclaims its strong opposition to liberalism and progressivism, advocating traditional family values and running for the patriotic electorate.[76][77] Party's leading politicians spread disinformations and conspiracy theories, including antisemitic George Soros conspiracy theories.[78][79]

Regarding LGBT rights, it calls for a constitutional ban on same-sex civil unions, marriages as well as adoptions. It opposes the allocation of state subsidies to LGBT rights organizations.[73] In 2022, 21 out of 27 Smer deputies in the National Council voted for a bill prohibiting the display of the rainbow flags on public buildings while the remaining 6 were absent.[80][81]

During the 2015 European migrant crisis, party's leader Robert Fico stated that the government monitors every single Muslim who is on the territory of the Slovak Republic.[82] In 2016, Fico declared that Islam has no place in Slovakia. He challenged multiculturalism and called for the preservation of the country's traditions and identity.[83] In 2021, Fico called on political scientist Jozef Lenč of the Muslim faith, commenting on Smer, not to work as a political scientist in a Christian country.[84]

In 2019, Fico expressed his sympathy for the Member of the National Council of the neo-Nazi People's Party Our Slovakia Milan Mazurek, who was convicted of the intentional crime of defaming a nation, race or belief.[85] In 2022, Smer criticized the proposal for a comprehensive compensatory social benefit for people in need, interpreting it as buying Roma votes before local and regional elections.[86] Fico's rhetoric towards the Romani people in Slovakia is considered hostile, stating that the Romani people in Slovakia drain the social system.[87][88]

In 2023, Fico called for the approval of a law concerning NGOs, according to which non-governmental organizations with foreign funding should be labeled as foreign agents.[89]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the party opposed vaccinations and restrictive measures.[90][91]

It opposed the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in Slovakia.[92]

Financing

Like most parties in Slovakia, Smer relies heavily on public party funding. The party received the following amount in public funding (as a share of total funding in percent):[93]

  • 2006: 4,750 million euros (94.48%)
  • 2007: 1,653 million euros (78.42%)
  • 2008: 1,653 million euros (81.55%)
  • 2009: 1,652 million euros (59.10%)
  • 2010: 6,853 million euros (85.02%)
  • 2011: 2,711 million euros (88.56%)
  • 2012: 11,143 million euros (97.88%)
  • 2013: 3,691 million euros (94.04%)

Controversy

Corruption

The party is associated with several corruption cases in Slovakia. During the 12 years during which it held power, the media reported on more than 30 alleged corruption cases.[94][95]

As no corruption case has yet been proven in court, and no conviction resulting from a party member's complicity in corruption cases been attained, the party strongly rejects the fact that it has a number of corruption scandals. Its chairman Fico usually points to the cases of his opponents when asked about specific corruption cases. More than once, Fico verbally attacked the media or the journalist himself who asked these questions.[96][97] Some prominent members of Smer, in response to the corruption cases, especially in the 2010s, have admitted that it is a thing of the past and that they made mistakes, while denying that corruption in the state was high.[98]

Election results

National Council

Election Leader Votes  % Rank Seats +/– Status
2002 Robert Fico 387,100
13.5%
 3rd
25 / 150
 Opposition
2006 671,185
29.1%
 1st
50 / 150
 Increase 25 Smer–SNS–HZDS
2010 880,111
34.8%
 1st
62 / 150
 Increase 12 Opposition
2012 1,134,280
44.4%
 1st
83 / 150
 Increase 21 Smer
2016 737,481
28.3%
 1st
49 / 150
 Decrease 34 Smer–SNS–Bridge–Network
(2016)
Smer–SNS–Bridge
(2016–2020)
2020 Peter Pellegrini[lower-alpha 2] 527,172
18.3%
 2nd
38 / 150
 Decrease 11 Opposition
2023 Robert Fico 681,017
23.0%
 1st
42 / 150
 Increase 4 Smer–Hlas–SNS[99]

European Parliament

Election Leader Votes % Rank Seats +/– Group
2004 Monika Beňová 118,535
16.9%
 3rd
3 / 14
 S&D
2009 Boris Zala 264,722
32.0%
 1st
5 / 13
 Increase 2
2014 Maroš Šefčovič 135,089
24.1%
 1st
4 / 13
 Decrease 1
2019 Monika Beňová 154,996
15.7%
 2nd
3 / 14
 Decrease 1

President

Election Candidate 1st round 2nd round
Votes % Rank Votes % Rank
2004 Endorsed
Ivan Gašparovič		 442,564
22.3%
 2nd 1,079,592
59.9%
 1st
2009 Endorsed
Ivan Gašparovič		 876,061
46.7%
 1st 1,234,787
55.5%
 1st
2014 Robert Fico 531,919
28.0%
 1st 893,841
40.6%
 2nd
2019 Endorsed
Maroš Šefčovič[lower-alpha 3]		 400,379
18.7%
 2nd 752,403
41.6%
 2nd

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Also with coalitions.
  2. ↑ Peter Pellegrini served as the electoral leader at the top of the party list, while Robert Fico served as the party chairman.
  3. ↑ Although Maroš Šefčovič was officially an independent, his campaign was funded by the party.

Footnotes

  1. ↑ "Výročná správa" (PDF). Ministerstvo vnútra Slovenskej republiky. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  2. ↑ Želinský, Dominik. "Great Expectations: Slovak Nationalist initiatives in the light of Communal Elections 2014" (PDF). ceeidentity.eu. CEE Idenitity – National Identities.
  3. ↑ "Spectre of Radical Changes: Slovakia in Flux Ahead of National Council Elections". PISM. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  4. ↑ Nordsieck, Wolfram (2020). "Slovakia". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 4 March 2020.
  5. ↑ "Report on Panel #1 / Mapping European Populism: Populist Authoritarian Tendencies in Central and Eastern Europe, and Challenges to the EU – ECPS". 26 April 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  6. ↑ "The Case of Smer Party in Slovakia". ECPR General Conference. August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Direction – Slovak Social Democracy party (Smer-SD)". Clean Energy Wire. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  8. ↑ "Fico hovorí o LGBTI ľuďoch čoraz vulgárnejšie, jeho štátna tajomníčka pritom podporila Pride" (in Slovak). Denník N. 11 May 2021.
  9. ↑ "Kto získa anti-cenu Homofób roka? Výrokmi sa "blysli" Fico, Matovič a v päťke nominovaných je aj Haľko" (in Slovak). SITA. 16 May 2022.
  10. ↑ "Pro-Russian politician wins Slovakia's parliamentary election". CNN. October 2023.
  11. ↑ "Pro-Russian ex-PM Fico wins Slovak election, needs allies for government". Reuters.
  12. ↑ "Pro-Russian populist party wins Slovakian election". Washington Post.
  13. ↑ "A populist, pro-Russia ex-premier looks headed for victory in Slovakia's parliamentary elections". AP. 30 September 2023.
  14. ↑ "Pro-Russia Fico Wins Election in Slovakia in Blow to Ukraine". Bloomberg. October 2023.
  15. ↑ "EU Socialists urged to kick out Slovakia's pro-Russian election winner Robert Fico". Politico. 3 October 2023.
  16. ↑ "Populist, pro-Russia Fico's party wins Slovakia's legislative elections". France24. 30 September 2023.
  17. ↑ Henley, Jon (2 October 2023). "Who is Robert Fico, the pro-Russian leader poised to head Slovakia's coalition government?". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  18. ↑ Cameron, Rob; Goksedef, Ece (1 October 2023). "Slovakia elections: Populist party wins vote but needs allies for coalition". BBC News. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  19. ↑ Schmitz, Rob (2 October 2023). "Worry and concern follow pro-Kremlin candidate's victory in Slovakia election". NPR. Berlin. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  20. ↑ "European socialists suspend Robert Fico's Smer party and its ally Hlas". 12 October 2023.
  21. ↑ Hanke Vela, Jakob (18 October 2023). "Biden heads to Israel as tensions mount over hospital blast". Politico. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  22. ↑ "Fiasko, zavádzanie aj nevyužitá šanca. Ako hodnotia billboardovú kampaň odborníci na marketing?". 13 August 2023.
  23. 1 2 3 4 "Súhrnné výsledky hlasovania - Voľby do orgánov samosprávy obcí 2022". www.volbysr.sk. Archived from the original on 15 December 2022.
  24. ↑ "V Smere vymysleli nový názov strany a nakreslili iné logo. Odlíšia sa od Pellegriniho". Aktuality.sk. 2021.
  25. ↑ "Desať najdôležitejších míľnikov v histórii strany Smer-SD od jej vzniku až dodnes" (in Slovak). Hospodárske noviny. 6 December 2009.
  26. ↑ "Smer odsúhlasil zlúčenie a zmneu názvu" (in Slovak). SME.
  27. ↑ "Voľby 2006 – 2016: Ako Fico získal najväčšiu moc a dokázal vždy zlikvidovať partnerov" (in Slovak). Denník N. 9 February 2020.
  28. ↑ Prague, Tim Gosling. "'Gangster prime minister' eyes up return to power in Slovakia". The Times.
  29. ↑ "Slovakia tries to shake off mafia influence". Al Jazeera.
  30. ↑ "Slovenská policie obvinila expremiéra Fica ze založení zločinecké skupiny" (in Czech). Czech Television.
  31. ↑ "The life of Ján Kuciak and a brief history of Slovakia". VSquare. 31 August 2020.
  32. ↑ "'Mafia State' Slovakia struggles to root out corruption". Balkan Insight.
  33. ↑ "Slovak police arrest former interior minister, charges former PM Fico". Euractiv. 21 April 2022.
  34. ↑ "Slovakia's former prime minister faces criminal charges". Associated Press. 20 April 2022.
  35. ↑ "Former Slovak PM, allies charged with organized crime". Politico. 20 April 2022.
  36. ↑ "Fico zostáva predsedom, Smer chce mať rustikálny. Sekundovať mu bude mladý Kaliňák, Blaha či rapujúci poslanec Takáč" (in Slovak). Denník N. 18 July 2020.
  37. ↑ "Na čele strany zostáva Robert Fico, podpredsedami sa stal Blaha i Kaliňák" (in Slovak). Postoj.
  38. ↑ "Odklon od Evropské unie a NATO směrem k Rusku. Fico cílí na extremistické voliče, říkají experti" (in Czech). Czech Radio. 5 May 2023.
  39. ↑ "Populist Strongman Fico Usurps the Narrative in Slovakia". Visegrad Insight. 6 June 2023.
  40. ↑ "Slovakia to get 'expert' government but return to populism looms". Balkan Insight.
  41. ↑ "Slovak Populist Fico Seeks Return to Power With Referendum Push". Bloomberg. Bloomberg News. 10 June 2022.
  42. ↑ "A hard line Slovak nationalist plots his return to power". Coda Media. 30 January 2023.
  43. ↑ "Slovakia risks becoming another Hungary-style EU spoiler. How should the West respond?". Atlantic Council. 23 December 2022.
  44. ↑ "Proč Robert Fico nepůjde úplně ve stopách Vladimíra Mečiara" (in Czech). Czech Radio. 18 June 2023.
  45. ↑ Lopatka, Jan (2 October 2023). "Slovakia's poll winner defies European consensus on Ukraine". Reuters.
  46. ↑ "Register of Political Parties and Political Movements". Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  47. ↑ "The Study of Contemporary Racism and Antisemitism", The Steven Roth Institute, Tel Aviv University. Tau.ac.il. Archived 31 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 15 October 2011.
  48. ↑ Zoltan D. Barany (2002). The East European gypsies: regime change, marginality, and ethnopolitics. Cambridge University Press. pp. 313, 408. ISBN 0-521-00910-3. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  49. ↑ Cas Mudde (2005). Racist Extremism in Central & Eastern Europe. Routledge. pp. xvi, 314. ISBN 0-415-35593-1. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  50. ↑ Juliana Sokolova (2 April 2009). "Slovakia: in search of normal". openDemocracy.net. Archived from the original on 30 August 2009. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
  51. ↑ SMER suspended from PES political family Archived 6 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Party of European Socialists, 12 October 2006
  52. ↑ Petit Press a.s. (16 October 2006). "Euro-socialists suspend Fico's Smer party". spectator.sme.sk. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  53. ↑ "Slovak PM's party rejoins European socialists". Archived from the original on 13 December 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
  54. ↑ Voľby do Národnej rady Slovenskej republiky Archived 16 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Volbysr.sk. Retrieved on 15 October 2011.
  55. ↑ Fico vyhral a predsa končí | Voľby 2010. volby.sme.sk. Retrieved on 15 October 2011.
  56. ↑ a.s, Petit Press (11 March 2012). "ELECTION 2012: UVK officially confirms Smer's landslide victory in general election". spectator.sme.sk.
  57. ↑ "Elections to the European Parliament 2014". Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  58. ↑ Cunningham, Benjamin (6 March 2016). "5 takeaways from Slovakia's election". Politico.eu. Politico. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  59. ↑ "Slovakia's president asks a populist ex-premier to form government after winning early election". Associated Press. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  60. ↑ "Pro-Russia ex-PM leads leftist party to win in Slovakia's parliamentary elections". NPR. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  61. ↑ "Fico's pro-Russian party takes poll lead ahead of Slovakia's Sept vote". Reuters. 10 March 2023.
  62. ↑ "Fico se na Slovensku může vrátit k moci, využívá k tomu slovník ruské propagandy" (in Czech). Czech Television.
  63. ↑ "Slovensko se znovu přiklání k sebevědomému bumerangu jménem Fico" (in Czech). Seznam.cz.
  64. ↑ "Fico pred veľvyslancami podporil vstup Ukrajiny do EÚ, verejnosti to najskôr nepovedal" (in Slovak). Denník N. 25 April 2023.
  65. ↑ "Riešením rusko-ukrajinského konfliktu sú mierové rokovania, tvrdí Smer-SD" (in Slovak). Trend. 24 February 2023.
  66. ↑ "Fico na tlačovej konferencii znovu klamal a šíril prokremeľskú propagandu" (in Slovak). Denník N. 8 February 2023.
  67. ↑ "Návrat suverenity do slovenskej zahraničnej politiky" (PDF) (in Slovak). www.strana-smer.sk.
  68. ↑ "Opozíciu nepotrebujeme, povedali mi v Ázii. Pozrite sa, ako Fico velebil Čínu" (in Slovak). Hospodárske noviny. 15 December 2017.
  69. ↑ "Fico sa bavil s Kaddáfím o boji proti imperializmu". SME.
  70. ↑ "Fico hovorí o LGBTI ľuďoch čoraz vulgárnejšie, jeho štátna tajomníčka pritom podporila Pride" (in Slovak). Denník N. 11 May 2021.
  71. ↑ "Kto získa anti-cenu Homofób roka? Výrokmi sa "blysli" Fico, Matovič a v päťke nominovaných je aj Haľko" (in Slovak). SITA. 16 May 2022.
  72. ↑ "Fico útočí na vládu cez Rómov. Podľa splnomocnenca tak chce prekryť svoje vlastné problémy" (in Slovak). Denník N. 22 April 2022.
  73. 1 2 "Fico sa vracia do politickej minulosti. Na Rómov útočí slovníkom extrémistov" (in Slovak). Aktuality.sk. 6 May 2020.
  74. ↑ "Výroky Roberta Fica o moslimskej komunite rieši Generálna prokuratúra" (in Slovak). TASR. 12 January 2016.
  75. ↑ "Islam na Slovensku nechceme. Slová Roberta Fica obleteli svet" (in Slovak). Hospodárske noviny. 30 May 2016.
  76. ↑ "Dve tváre Smeru: na Slovensku dali "po papuli" liberálom, v Bruseli schválili, proti čomu doma bojovali" (in Slovak). Aktuality.sk. 15 May 2023.
  77. ↑ "PRIZNAJME SI PRAVDU - MUSÍME SA POSTAVIŤ LIBERALIZMU" (in Slovak). www.strana-smer.sk.
  78. ↑ "Blaha si vypomáha antisemitizmom" (in Slovak). Denník N. 6 March 2019.
  79. ↑ "Strašenie Sorosom je jasný antisemitizmus. Po vraždách sme sprísnili opatrenia, tvrdí šéf židovskej obce" (in Slovak). Hospodárske noviny. 15 November 2022.
  80. ↑ "Zákaz dúhovej vlajky v štátnych budovách neprešiel. Návrh podporil Smer, z OĽaNO len Gyimesi" (in Slovak). Štandard.
  81. ↑ "Hlasovanie - grafické zobrazenie" (in Slovak). National Council.
  82. ↑ "Islamská nadácia: Premiér urobil z moslimov na Slovensku hrozbu" (in Slovak). TASR. 16 November 2015.
  83. ↑ "Islam nemá podľa Fica na Slovensku priestor" (in Slovak). SME.
  84. ↑ "Robert Fico (Smer-SD) sa pustil do politológa Jozefa Lenča. Ste xenofóbny fašista, odkázal mu odborník" (in Slovak). TV JOJ. 13 August 2021.
  85. ↑ "Fico obhajuje extrémistu Mazureka, SNS a Most ho za to kritizujú" (in Slovak). Denník N. 5 September 2019.
  86. ↑ "Fico útočí na vládu cez Rómov. Podľa splnomocnenca tak chce prekryť svoje vlastné problémy" (in Slovak). Denník N. 22 April 2022.
  87. ↑ "Fico mal pri výrokoch o Rómoch blízko k Mazurekovi už v minulosti" (in Slovak). SME.
  88. ↑ "Fico sa vracia do politickej minulosti. Na Rómov útočí slovníkom extrémistov" (in Slovak). Aktuality.sk. 6 May 2020.
  89. ↑ "Robert Fico chce rovnaký zákon proti mimovládkam, aký pred desiatimi rokmi schválilo Putinovo Rusko" (in Slovak). Denník N. 6 June 2023.
  90. ↑ "Fico hlasem odpůrců očkování. Prachsprostý byznys, vytvoří závislost, hlásá" (in Czech). idnes.cz. 11 September 2021.
  91. ↑ "Zúrila pandémia a Fico štval davy bez rúšok proti vláde. Hygienici dali Smeru niekoľkotisícovú pokutu" (in Slovak). aktuality.sk. 6 December 2022.
  92. ↑ "Pred štyrmi rokmi sa Fico prijatím Istanbulského dohovoru chválil, teraz ho odmieta a hádže na Radičovú" (in Slovak). Denník N. 25 February 2018.
  93. ↑ Stefancik, Radoslav (2015). "The System of Political Party Funding as a Sign of Weakly Institutionalized Party System in Slovakia". Romanian Journal of Political Science. 15 (2): 35-62. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  94. ↑ Aktuality.sk (7 March 2017). "Najväčšie korupčné kauzy od roku 2006". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  95. ↑ Čikovský, Konštantín (24 November 2015). "Päť miliardových káuz Smeru". Denník E (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  96. ↑ Števkov, Peter (29 December 2015). "Ficova vojna s novinármi. Slizkí hadi, hyeny, prostitútky a idioti | Parlamentné Listy". parlamentnelisty.sk/ (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  97. ↑ a.s, Petit Press. "Vláda nechce odpovedať novinám, naposledy to urobil Mečiar". ekonomika.sme.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  98. ↑ "Pellegrini volá po zmene, pripúšťa svoj odchod". trend.sk (in Slovak). 29 May 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  99. ↑ "Smer, Hlas a SNS sa dohodli, podpísali memorandum. SaS: Novú koalíciu budú spájať kšefty a korupcia". Pravda.sk (in Slovak). 11 October 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.