Slovak opposition submits no-confidence vote against Fico's government

On Wednesday, January 15, representatives of opposition parties submitted signatures to the Office of the National Council of Slovakia requesting an extraordinary parliamentary session to express no confidence in Fico's government.

Opposition MPs from the parties Progressive Slovakia, Freedom and Solidarity, Christian Democrats, Slovakia, For the People, and Christian Union are initiating the vote of no confidence.

Michal Šimečka, the leader of Progressive Slovakia, stated earlier that Prime Minister Robert Fico had "abandoned Slovakia," distancing himself from managing the country while instead "flying around the world, bowing to dictators, enjoying luxury" as his ruling coalition crumbled.

MP Veronika Remišová, leader of the For the People party, added that Fico's comments regarding a student who refused to shake hands with Slovak President Peter Pellegrini are another reason for the government's collapse.

Earlier, a Slovak student, Šimon Omaník, attended an award ceremony wearing a ribbon in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The boy refused to shake hands with the country's president, Peter Pellegrini.

Prime Minister Fico criticized the student. He posted an angry message on Facebook, saying that if he were Pellegrini, he would "send Omaník where he belongs" and strip him of the award.

Disputes between Ukraine and Slovakia

Relations between Ukraine and Slovakia have become tense since Robert Fico took office as Slovakia's prime minister. He has made several statements opposing military aid to Ukraine and its EU accession.

The situation worsened when Ukraine decided not to extend the transit of Russian gas to Europe, on which Slovakia and Hungary rely. Fico traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Furthermore, Fico threatened to stop supplying electricity to Ukraine and reduce support for Ukrainian refugees.