In Slovakia, two months before the election, an openly pro-Russian candidate is topping the polls, threatening the country's support for Ukraine. Slovakia will vote in snap elections in September, and polls indicate former Prime Minister Robert Fico is likely to win.
The outcome may threaten the EU and the West as it can undermine their unity in the context of Europe's support for Ukraine to counter Russian war aggression.
The current Slovakia government has strongly backed Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion. Slovakia sent weapons to Ukraine, including artillery and its fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets.
The populist left-wing Smer party of a pro-Russian politician, Robert Fico, is leading in the polls with 19%, according to an IPSOS poll. The liberal Progressive Slovakia party comes second with nearly 16%. Top-3 is completed by the Voice party, formed by a centrist faction that has split off from Smer, at around 15%.
However, even if Fico's party scores the highest number of votes, it may be challenging to build a coalition beyond the guaranteed support of the far-right and anti-EU Republic party.
The Slovak political landscape is highly fragmented, with roughly 8-9 parties having chances of winning seats in parliament. Still, the support level for leading parties might change. The month of September will be decisive for the campaign.
[ Ссылка ]
