Migration to Slovakia and the inter-party agreements ahead of the September 2023 elections are among the top political themes of the electoral campaign this June. Along with the spending for the electoral campaign the accusations and inter-party quarrels have also begun. Hlas-SD (which presents itself as a moderate party and wishes to attract the Smer-SD’s electors), for instance, accuses Progresívne Slovensko (PS) of wanting to cut pensions, which the party denies. Saska, on the other hand, accuses OĽaNO of not being an anti-corruption party. Credited with 19 percent according to the Ako news agency, Robert Fico’s Smer-SD criticized the alleged media campaign organized in Slovakia by NATO. The former PM claimed the Atlantic Alliance’s goal is to increase the number of Slovaks who support military aid to Ukraine and to increase support for NATO itself.
While continuing to spread disinformation and pro-Russian views, Fico spoke out against massive migration to Slovakia as well as the increase in food prices. He does not consider the Roma issue or the financial support of NGOs or the help to Ukraine among his priorities. With 17 percent of the votes, Hlas-SD will not ally itself with parties that promote hatred, extremism, and neofascism, ruling out cooperation with ĽSNS and OĽaNO. Peter Pellegrini stressed the membership of Slovakia to the EU and NATO, and that he will offer “decent policies” for the country, in competition with PS on issues such as student loans and affordable housing, as well as measures for families. While Pellegrini says leaving Smer-SD was the most important political decision of his life, he does not rule out cooperating with Fico and Republika.
Hlas-SD is currently neck and neck with PS, which targets the young progressive electorate and is in favor of migration to Slovakia and NATO. Leader Michal Šimečka wants to restore trust in the police and judiciary and make sure that these institutions properly serve the people. Saska (8 percent) presented its electoral program in early June: more resources to schools and universities, modernization and digitalisation, opposition against illegal migration to Slovakia, and investment in healthcare. Saska also unveiled its “Council for catching up with the EU”, which stresses that Slovakia needs to make its business environment more attractive. Saska and Pensioners Union (JDS) signed a memorandum on cooperation, aiming for a 19 percent flat tax.
OĽaNO and Friends (7 percent), has for weeks conditioned his support for the new caretaker Ódor government on maintaining the 200 EUR child bonus and passing his 500 EUR proposal (a reward voters should get for participation in the elections). Igor Matovič held talks with the “For the People” party and Christian Union; both are also courted by Parliamentary Chair Boris Kollár (We Are Family, 6 percent), who favours migration to Slovakia, but does not want to accommodate economic migrants in the country, as they would receive social benefits. Negotiations continue within the galaxy of center-right parties. Apple leader Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová will cooperate with Eduard Heger’s Demokrati, which will be led by Andrea Letanovská ahead of the next elections. The Democrats and Mikulas Dzurinda’s Blues agree that Fico is a security threat to Slovakia, but electoral cooperation between these two parties does not seem close.
Amedeo Gasparini
(Published on amedeogasparini.com)