Robert Fico, at the age of 59, 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.
After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Slovakia, a nation of approximately 5 million people, achieved independence following a series of peaceful protests against the Communist Party in Czechoslovakia. This historic event marked the end of the Cold War era.
Mr. Fico, a former member of the Communist Party, established 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 due to an electoral defeat. In 2012, he returned to power but resigned in July 2018 amidst widespread demonstrations following the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kusnirova, who were investigating government corruption. The protests, the largest since the Velvet Revolution, demanded the government’s resignation and new elections.
While Slovakia is recognized for its press freedom, protesters also called for broader reforms in the country under Mr. Fico’s leadership.
The Smer party, initially left-leaning, has shifted towards right-wing ideologies on immigration and cultural matters. Mr. Fico’s close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban have drawn international attention. Like Mr. Orban, Mr. Fico has been critical of the European Union.
Following a parliamentary election, Mr. Fico began his third term as prime minister but underwent heart surgery shortly after. Despite this, he formed a coalition government and campaigned against sanctions on Russia in response to the Ukraine invasion in 2022.
His stance raised concerns in Brussels about Slovakia aligning with pro-Russian forces, potentially hindering support for Ukraine within the European Union. Slovakia’s limited military contributions to Ukraine and trade decisions regarding Ukrainian grain further fueled these concerns.
In April, an…
2024-05-16 06:43:43
Article from www.nytimes.com