In present times, at least in Europe and North America, I think it’s fair to say that the majority of what might be described as anti-globalist politicians and political parties come from the political Right. Why do you think that is and why are there not more political parties opposing globalism from the Left?
That’s a very good question because I even wrote a book about anti-globalism. In it, I explain that the traditional left—by which I mean the socialist and communist parties—was always opposed to the neoliberal globalization model. This model has primarily benefited multinational corporations and powerful Western nations. However, the so-called new progressive left has shifted its focus to issues like minorities, LGBTQ+ rights, multiculturalism, migration, and cultural wars. Traditionally, the left’s core concerns were workers, the welfare state, social justice, fairness, and combating economic inequalities, particularly in wages.
I believe that when the left, whether in the West or within the European Union—including my party—realigns itself with the concerns of poor people and focuses on economic and social inequality, it regains its true position. Opposing neoliberal globalization must be central to this. If the left continues to serve as a tool for multinational corporations by adhering to the neoliberal globalization agenda, it will fail, and workers will abandon us entirely.
This is why, in Slovakia, SMER–Slovak Social Democracy is a left-conservative party. We emphasize traditions and prioritize the interests of the people, particularly the poor, rather than focusing on LGBTQ+ issues. Unfortunately, this shift has yet to happen in the West.
We must fight to uphold the traditional left-conservative values that are deeply rooted in the history and tradition of socialist thought. I see this new left progressivism as a betrayal of those principles.
As a member of the European Parliament, you regularly interact with politicians from across the EU’s 27 member states. Are there any political parties that your party, SMER, as an anti-globalist left-wing party, shares an ideological affinity with?
For example, as I mentioned, BSW and Sahra Wagenknecht represent a left-conservative stance. While I’m not certain if they explicitly identify as anti-globalist, they clearly oppose the federalization process within the European Union and neoliberal globalization. Their values align closely with ours. Similarly, the Czech party Stačilo, rooted in the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia and other sovereignist, anti-globalist left-wing parties, shares this opposition to neoliberalism and progressivism. This reflects a shared vision of a patriotic or conservative left.
In Slovakia, this tradition means fighting for the poor, defending national liberation, and preserving sovereignty. This is the essence of what I call the patriotic left. I believe the same applies to BSW and Sahra Wagenknecht, as well as to the Stačilo movement in the Czech Republic.
Furthermore, though it’s still in the early stages, we are working discreetly to form an alliance within the European Parliament. If successful, this could attract many other like-minded parties.
You wrote a book titled Antiglobalist a few years back. Can you give us a brief overview of the book?
Yes, I’ve written quite a few books. One is titled Anti-globalist, for instance. While the anti-globalist book may be older, it’s still available in English. I’ve also written about Lenin and Che Guevara, focusing on prominent leftist figures. My goal is to argue that the new progressive left, with its emphasis on minority-focused orientations, represents a dead end for left-wing ideology.
I believe we need to return to the communitarian left and the anti-globalist left to protect national sovereignty and uphold the classical traditions of left-wing thought. This includes advocating for the protection of workers, the poor, and equality in wages and social status. That is my message. However, I admit that I cannot delve deeply into scientific matters here. My theories are grounded in the works of key thinkers like Immanuel Wallerstein, a prominent American sociologist, Dani Rodrik, an economist, and others such as Samir Amin, all of whom have significantly influenced left-wing thought. At the same time, we must draw inspiration from figures within the Marxist tradition, such as Lenin and Che Guevara, while remaining open-minded and critical of their mistakes.
What is Slovakian society and the government’s attitude toward cooperation with and the development of BRICS?
The world, I believe, can clearly see that BRICS represents the future. With the rapid rise of China’s economy and strong cooperation between us and China, as well as the recognition of Russia as a superpower alongside India and other BRICS nations, it’s impossible to ignore the importance of this organization. While being part of the European Union complicates direct cooperation, we still maintain good investments from China and fruitful collaboration with India, Brazil, and others.
We also aim to normalize relations with Russia, a traditional partner for Slovakia. Russia played a significant role as a liberator in World War II, freeing us from fascism, and we remain deeply grateful for that. Restoring normal relations with Russia is a priority. This is why strengthening our ties with BRICS is essential.
At the same time, as the European Union and the collective West continue to lose influence and face economic and other challenges, they often grow more arrogant and chauvinistic—something we firmly oppose in Slovakia, particularly my party and those I represent.
I am hopeful that these dynamics can shift, allowing us to return to normalcy and build strong, positive relations with these key countries.
What potential course do you foresee for the BRICS organization, and what are its pros and cons compared to the European Union?
I think one of the strengths of BRICS is its decentralized nature, with less concentrated power and more emphasis on national sovereignty and freedom for its member states. Unlike the European Union, which often imposes centralized control and pressures smaller nations like Slovakia toward federalization, BRICS allows for a more cooperative and flexible structure. This is particularly important for smaller nations striving to protect their sovereignty and maintain independence.
BRICS is fundamentally about cooperation—economic, political, and even cultural—while allowing each country to remain free. This respect for national sovereignty is crucial. The economic power of BRICS has already surpassed that of the West in many respects, and we admire the remarkable progress of its economies.
We should actively seek to cooperate with BRICS members, including Russia, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, as well as prospective members like Cuba, Venezuela, and Egypt. BRICS represents a major force in the global economy. For example, the new $200 billion BRICS-Bridge project is a significant initiative. The dominance of the dollar, which allows Western powers—particularly the United States—to impose sanctions and blackmail countries, has created an unfair imbalance in geopolitics. This needs to be addressed.
The BRICS-Bridge project offers a promising alternative to restore balance in international relations. I hope that nations like China, Russia, India, and others within BRICS can serve as a counterbalance to Western imperialism and help create a fairer global system.
Do you think peace is possible in Ukraine?
Well, we in Slovakia certainly want peace—that’s the ultimate goal. We understand that Russia’s response was driven by NATO’s expansion, which posed a significant threat. For Russia, it was intolerable to have Western superpowers expanding right up to its borders. Imagine if a similar situation occurred with foreign armies stationed at America’s borders in Mexico or Canada. What would the reaction be? In geopolitics, this response seems logical. The West made a grave mistake by sacrificing the Ukrainian people for its own interests, and it continues to do so.
The U.S. has greatly benefited from this situation, no doubt. As a Slovak, while I don’t fully identify as Western, being part of the European Union connects us to the West. However, as a Slavic person, I believe the only way to address these existential and security risks is through dialogue and understanding. War is not a solution to anything.
The double standards are glaring. In Israel and Gaza, thousands of civilians, including women and children, are being killed, and yet the West justifies it as Israel’s “right to defense.” Genocide being framed as self-defense is appalling. Meanwhile, if Russia drops even a small bomb on a bridge, it’s immediately labeled monstrous and condemned as a breach of international norms. This is blatant hypocrisy.
I remember the U.S. bombing of Yugoslavia, the Iraq War, where millions died, and the wars in Afghanistan, Libya, and Vietnam. And now, these same voices from the U.S. are calling for accountability from Russia? It’s absurd.
We must strive to be just and fair in our assessments and work toward finding a path to peace.
What potential course do you foresee for the BRICS organization, and what are its pros and cons compared to the European Union?
I think one of the strengths of BRICS is its decentralized nature, with less concentrated power and more emphasis on national sovereignty and freedom for its member states. Unlike the European Union, which often imposes centralized control and pressures smaller nations like Slovakia toward federalization, BRICS allows for a more cooperative and flexible structure. This is particularly important for smaller nations striving to protect their sovereignty and maintain independence.
BRICS is fundamentally about cooperation—economic, political, and even cultural—while allowing each country to remain free. This respect for national sovereignty is crucial. The economic power of BRICS has already surpassed that of the West in many respects, and we admire the remarkable progress of its economies.
We should actively seek to cooperate with BRICS members, including Russia, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa, as well as prospective members like Cuba, Venezuela, and Egypt. BRICS represents a major force in the global economy. For example, the new $200 billion BRICS-Bridge project is a significant initiative. The dominance of the dollar, which allows Western powers—particularly the United States—to impose sanctions and blackmail countries, has created an unfair imbalance in geopolitics. This needs to be addressed.
The BRICS-Bridge project offers a promising alternative to restore balance in international relations. I hope that nations like China, Russia, India, and others within BRICS can serve as a counterbalance to Western imperialism and help create a fairer global system.
