Slovak PM Fico eyes suspending native election, stirring unease amongst allies

BRATISLAVA – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has revived the concept of suspending Slovakia’s native and regional elections from 2026 to 2027 – a proposal that has sparked confusion amongst native authorities and raised suspicions even inside his personal coalition.

Talking at his Smer–SD social gathering congress over the weekend, Fico mentioned it might be “finest for the entire of Slovakia” to increase the four-year mandates of mayors, village heads and regional governors in order that native elections happen after the following parliamentary vote.

Though he has steered it earlier than, that is his most direct name but, urging native authorities associations to think about it, and it’s inflicting a stir in Slovak political life this week.

Analysts and opposition figures imagine the transfer might goal to distract from his authorities’s controversial fiscal consolidation bundle or to purchase time amid declining assist.

Latest polls place Smer seven factors behind the opposition Progressive Slovakia.

Some additionally see the proposal as a part of a broader technique – following a latest constitutional modification that outlined two genders, curtailed LGBTQ+ rights and asserted Slovak authorized primacy over EU regulation in cultural issues.

Pushback from throughout the coalition

President Peter Pellegrini, often an ally of his PM has requested Fico to elucidate his reasoning, warning that if the motives are “purely political or tactical”, such constitutional modifications mustn’t proceed.

The concept additionally failed to impress Hlas-SD – Pellegrini’s social gathering and the second largest within the coalition. Deputy chair Erik Tomáš cited the stance of native governments, whereas social gathering chief Matúš Šutaj Eštok mentioned that with out opposition curiosity, “there’s no level in such a debate.”

The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) – who just lately backed Fico’s controversial anti-LGBTQ+ modification – have already rejected the proposal.

Progressive Slovakia’s Ivan Korčok supplied a pointed various: “If the prime minister is so wanting to merge elections, let’s merge the parliamentary and native ones subsequent yr. That method, Slovakia will get monetary savings – and one yr of decline beneath his authorities.”

Areas and mayors push again

All three main associations – SK8 (Self-Governing Areas), ZMOS (Cities and Villages) and ÚMS (Union of Cities) – reacted with scepticism or resistance.

SK8 known as for clear dialogue and clear justification whereas Richard Rybníček, president of  the ÚMS, dismissed the concept as “a sensible absurdity that might solely carry chaos” and ZMOS president Jozef Božík voiced private opposition to altering guidelines mid-term.

However for as political scientist Juraj Marušiak of the Slovak Academy of Sciences identified to Pravda.sk, any postponement would require a constitutional modification – and thus opposition votes, which Fico is unlikely to safe.

(cs)