BRATISLAVA (Reuters) – Slovak opposition leader Michal Simecka launched an attempt to oust the left-nationalist government in a no-confidence vote on Tuesday, accusing Prime Minister Robert Fico of laying the groundwork for the country's exit from the EU.
The opposition's efforts look set to fail as the majority of the parliamentary government is expected to support Fico.
Fico has tried to maintain relations with Russia during the war in Ukraine and suspended official military aid to Kyiv. He criticized the sanctions on Russia and widened the gap with Kyiv after the delivery of Russian gas through Ukraine stops at the end of 2024.
Fico, the leader of the left-wing Smer-SSD party and a four-time prime minister, also said that Slovakia must prepare for “all the difficult situations” that the EU could face in the short term, suggesting even a split. the block
“This cannot be read in any other way than … what we warned about: that the Smer government is preparing the ground for leading Slovakia outside the European Union,” Simecka, the leader of the Progressive Slovakia party, told the parliament.
“I see this as such an existential threat to our national interests that we don't need anything to express our lack of confidence.”
Fico told parliament that foreign policy is determined by NATO and EU membership but Slovakia cannot be “static” in a rapidly growing world.
“What if a group of 3-4 big countries were to say, ladies and gentlemen, maybe there will be a superstate where you lose all your national sovereignty … or go your own way?” Fico said. “We are talking about a development that can happen very quickly.”
Fico also reiterated his opinion against the extension of the EU's majority vote in many areas, which would reduce the power of national votes.
Fico traveled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on an undisclosed private trip in December to discuss gas and Ukraine. A delegation of several pro-government members of parliament traveled to Moscow last week seeking to improve relations.
The Prime Minister has accused the opposition of organizing widespread protests with the intention of seizing power, which the opposition has denied.
Fico also traveled to China, Brazil, and Turkey to forge ties under what he called an omnidirectional foreign policy.
Fico's cabinet was expected to be supported by Smer as well as the deputies of the national party SNS and the left party Hlas, giving him enough votes to survive. However, Hlas has rejected any discussion about EU membership, and many of its deputies protested against Fico's foreign policy.