Robert Fico, at 59 years old, has been a prominent figure in Slovakian politics since the country gained independence in 1993. He holds the record for serving as prime minister longer than any other leader.
Following the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which led to Slovakia’s independence from Czechoslovakia, Mr. Fico, a former member of the Communist Party, founded the Smer party in the late 1990s. He began his first term as prime minister in 2006, serving for four years before transitioning to the opposition after losing an election. Slovakia, with a population of around 5 million, is a landlocked country.
The Smer party, initially left-leaning but now leaning towards right-wing views on immigration and cultural matters, has been part of a coalition government. Mr. Fico’s leadership has drawn international attention due to his connections with President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, Slovakia’s neighboring country to the south.
After returning to power in 2012, Mr. Fico resigned as prime minister in July 2018 amidst widespread protests following the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kusnirova, who were investigating government corruption. These protests, the largest since the Velvet Revolution, demanded the government’s resignation and new elections.
While Slovakia is highly rated for press freedom, protesters sought broader changes in the country under Mr. Fico’s leadership.
Returning to power in a recent election, Mr. Fico formed a coalition government after securing approximately 23% of the vote. He campaigned against sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, stating that not a single round of ammunition from Slovakia should be sent to Ukraine.
This stance, in a country with a history of pro-Russian sentiment, raised concerns among E.U. leaders in Brussels about a potential pro-Russian alliance with Mr. Orban and Italy’s leader, Georgia Meloni, hindering support for Ukraine in the European Union.
Slovakia’s military support for Ukraine was minimal compared to other countries, but it joined several E.U. nations in blocking grain imports from Ukraine last year to protect its farmers.
In April, Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Mr. Fico, won the presidential vote in Slovakia. While largely ceremonial, this victory was seen as strengthening the influence of pro-Russian political forces in Central Europe.
2024-05-15 15:42:57
Post from www.nytimes.com