Slovakia’s new government led by populist Robert Fico wins a mandatory confidence vote
Slovakia’s new government, led by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico who ended the nation’s navy assist for Ukraine, gained a mandatory confidence vote in Parliament on Tuesday.
Of the 143 lawmakers current within the 150-seat Parliament, 78 voted in favor of the three-party coalition government that was sworn in on Oct 25.
Fico returned to energy and took over as prime minister for the fourth time after his scandal-tainted leftist Smer, or Path, occasion gained Slovakia’s Sept 30 parliamentary election on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform.
Fico fashioned a parliamentary majority by signing a coalition government take care of the leftist Hlas, or Voice, occasion and the ultranationalist Slovak Nationwide Get together.
Fico’s victory could mark a dramatic turnaround within the nation’s international coverage and will pressure a fragile unity within the European Union and NATO.
Slovakia, a nation of 5.5 million people who shares a border with Ukraine, had been a staunch supporter of Kyiv since Russia invaded in February final yr, donating arms and opening its borders for refugees fleeing the struggle.
Fico has stopped the navy assist. He additionally opposes EU sanctions on Russia and needs to dam Ukraine from becoming a member of NATO.
Fico’s critics fear that his return to energy may lead Slovakia to desert its pro-Western course in different methods, following the instance of Hungary beneath Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Fico vowed to pursue a “sovereign” international coverage, promised a robust stance in opposition to migration and non-governmental organizations and campaigned in opposition to LGBTQ+ rights. Some elite investigators and police officers who take care of corruption instances have been ordered to remain at house or dismissed and the government plans to ease punishment for corruption, amongst different adjustments within the authorized system.
For the reason that earlier government took energy in 2020 after campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket, dozens of senior officers, cops, judges, prosecutors, politicians and businesspeople linked to Smer have been charged and convicted of corruption and different crimes. The instances of a variety of others haven’t been accomplished but.
Fico himself and his former Inside Minister Robert Kalinak confronted felony costs final yr for creating a felony group and misuse of energy. Kalinak is the protection minister within the new government.
Recognized for his tirades in opposition to journalists, Fico labeled a main tv community, two nationwide newspapers and an internet information web site his enemies and stated he will not talk with them.
