Robert Fico: ‘Islam has no place in Slovakia’

Slovakia's prime minister Robert Fico started his third mandate heading the country's government by stepping up his anti-immigrant rhetoric, just weeks before Slovakia takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union on the 1 July 2016.

Mr Fico stated on the 25 May 2016 that, while he was not against migrants coming in the country, he was worried such inflow would be change the face of the country.

Some sources pointed out concerns that the Slovakian presidency of the Council could damage the reform being undertakenn by the European Union regarding its migration policy.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Visegrad countries call for ‘alternative plan’ to counter migration crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/visegrad-countries-call-for-alternative-plan-to-counter-migration-crisis/

ESO: Background information: The Slovak Challenge to the Asylum-Seekers’ Relocation Decision: A Balancing Act http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-slovak-challenge-to-the-asylum-seekers-relocation-decision-a-balancing-act/

The Slovak Spectator, 25.05.16: PM Fico: Islam has no place in Slovakia http://spectator.sme.sk/c/20173606/pm-fico-islam-has-no-place-in-slovakia.html

EurActiv, 01.06.16: Worries mount as Slovakia prepares for EU presidency http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/worries-mount-as-slovakia-prepares-for-eu-presidency/

EUObserver, 20.07.16: Refugees confronted with Slovakia's 'national project' https://euobserver.com/migration/134408

Politico, 16.08.;16: Why Slovakia won’t embrace migration http://www.politico.eu/article/why-slovakia-wont-embrace-migration-lubos-blaha-josef-rydlo/

ESO: Background information: Why Central Europe needs a unified strategy for tackling the migration crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/why-central-europe-needs-a-unified-strategy-for-tackling-the-migration-crisis/

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