Slovak's Fico could rethink Ukraine and EU policy if Orban loses election — Bloomberg
Photo: Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico (Getty Images)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has vowed to continue his anti-European rhetoric if his ally, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, loses the election. However, he is unlikely to be able to follow through on this, Bloomberg reports.
According to the agency's sources, Slovakia is heavily dependent on EU aid, and Fico’s own government is less secure than Orbán’s. Therefore, it will be difficult for the Slovak Prime Minister to carry out his duties.
Fico supported Orbán’s veto on the allocation of €20 billion in aid to Hungary due to corruption scandals, which caused concern among other member states.
However, if Orbán loses the election, Fico will have to tone down his anti-European rhetoric to preserve Slovakia’s access to over €90 billion in European loans, part of which is intended to support Ukraine amid the war with Russia.
Both leaders, Orbán and Fico, have previously violated informal EU rules by visiting Moscow after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and attempting to maintain supplies of Russian oil and gas.
However, with Slovakia set to receive nearly €19 billion in aid by 2027, it is forced to take economic realities into account.
Analysts note that Fico, even if isolated within the EU, will try to balance criticism of the EU with the need to preserve Slovakia’s membership in the bloc, especially given the upcoming general elections in 2027, where his coalition may fail to secure a majority.
Thus, Orbán’s defeat in Hungary’s parliamentary elections could significantly limit Fico’s political ambitions and force him to abandon his openly anti-European stance.
"Fico has shown his ability to survive before. If isolated, he’ll try to strike a balance in the campaign between reinforcing his criticism of the EU while emphasizing the importance of Slovakia’s membership in the bloc," writes Bloomberg.
Hungary elections
On Sunday, April 12, parliamentary elections will take place in Hungary, the results of which could affect not only the country’s domestic politics but also its neighbors, particularly Ukraine, as well as the situation in the European Union.
The de facto contest will pit the ruling Fidesz party, led by incumbent Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, known for his anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian views, against the opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar.
Orbán, who has been in power for 16 years, has staked his entire political career on this election.
According to investigative journalists, Russian political strategists and military intelligence are working to support Orbán and Fidesz.
Vladimir Putin personally appointed Sergei Kirienko, first deputy head of the Russian presidential administration, to oversee the operation.
Interestingly, the latest pre-election polls show a landslide lead for the opposition.
Meanwhile, Politico reports that Viktor Orbán is already preparing a plan in case of his defeat.
And in Brussels, several scenarios are already being discussed for responding to a possible new victory for Orbán in the elections. According to media reports, the EU is considering at least five options that could prevent decisions from being blocked within the union.
