An effort by Slovakia’s Brussels-backed globalist opposition to topple Prime Minister Robert Fico’s sovereigntist government flopped spectacularly on Tuesday, January 28, as they failed to muster enough parliamentary support for a confidence vote.
The liberal and center-right opposition parties had called an extraordinary parliamentary session, hoping to force a vote that could remove the nationalist-led administration. However, their plan hit a wall when the ruling coalition boycotted the session, and only 66 opposition MPs showed up—falling ten votes short of the required majority in the 150-seat chamber. They’re set to try again on Wednesday, but the odds aren’t in their favor.
Since Fico’s return to power in October 2023, the opposition has been relentless in its attempts to unseat him. Their grievances, echoed by Brussels’ liberal elite, stem from his government’s unapologetically sovereigntist stance: a foreign policy that defies EU dictates, a more pragmatic relationship with Russia, hardline anti-immigration policies, and a rejection of progressive ideologies championed in Western Europe.
Fico’s December trip to Moscow to negotiate a gas deal sent his critics into a frenzy. They accused him of plotting to drag Slovakia closer to Russia and even push for an EU exit—claims he flatly denied. “Our foreign policy remains anchored in EU and NATO membership,” Fico asserted, “but we have the right to be critical of Brussels and maintain balanced international relations.”
He has also slammed EU sanctions on Russia, refused to send military aid to Ukraine, and fiercely condemned Kyiv for cutting off Russian gas supplies to Slovakia.
The opposition has been ramping up pressure, organizing a massive protest last Friday with tens of thousands demanding Fico’s resignation. They’re banking on internal rifts within his three-party coalition, hoping it might crumble before crucial parliamentary votes in February.
But Fico isn’t backing down. In a Saturday interview, he accused the opposition of attempting a coup, citing intelligence reports that they were preparing to seize government buildings and obstruct state functions—with alleged backing from foreign actors. He even claimed that unidentified operatives in Slovakia had previously played roles in toppling Ukraine’s pro-Russian leader in 2014 and stirring unrest in Georgia last year.
Despite the political turbulence, polls don’t indicate a major shift in public sentiment. Fico’s left-wing nationalist Smer party is polling at 22%, just one point below its 2023 election result, while the liberal opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, holds a narrow lead at 23%. Smer’s coalition partner Hlas sits at 11%, while the nationalist Republika, a potential Fico ally, holds 8%. The remaining parties hover between 4-7%.
With the opposition struggling to gain ground and Fico refusing to budge, Slovakia’s political showdown is far from over.
