Robert Fico wins Slovakian election, but loses majority / Slovakia’s president swears in contentious coalition government

The existing Slovak Republic Prime Minister Robert Fico won parliamentary elections held in the country on the 5 March 2016, but with a much smaller majority for his Smer-SD party. To stay on in power he would have to govern in a coalition after a stronger than expected showing by small parties, including those on the far right.

A coalition government comprising an ethnic minority party and an ultra-nationalist faction was sworn in by the Slovak president on the 23 March 2016. Robert Fico was appointed as Prime Minister. The unlikely alliance must survive a confidence vote in parliament to govern.

Fico's left wing Smer-Social Democracy has joined with three other parties, including the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party and the centre-right Net party. The fourth party represents the country's ethnic Hungarian minority.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Slovak parliamentary election, 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/slovak-parliamentary-election-2016/

Deutsche Welle, 06.03.16: Slovak PM Fico loses majority http://dw.com/p/1I82s

Politico, 06.03.16: 5 takeaways from Slovakia’s election http://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-fico-asylum-migrants-elections-nazi-nationalists/

BBC News, 06.03.16: Slovakia election: Anti-migrant PM Fico loses majority http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35734947

France24, 06.03.16: Anti-immigrant leftists win Slovakia elections http://www.france24.com/en/20160306-anti-immigrant-leftists-win-slovak-elections

The Guardian, 06.03.16: Slovakia election: far right wins first seats http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/06/slovakia-election-far-right-wins-seats-peoples-party-marian-kotleba

EUObserver, 07.03.16: Slovakia vote shocks Europe and its own society https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/132562

EurActiv, 07.03.16: Slovakia turns unpredictable ahead of its EU presidency http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/slovakia-turns-unpredictable-ahead-of-its-eu-presidency/

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: Fico loses absolute majority in Slovakia http://www.eurotopics.net/en/155055/fico-loses-absolute-majority-in-slovakia

Euronews, 06.03.16: Coalition on the cards as Slovakia’s PM wins ‘complicated’ election victory http://www.euronews.com/2016/03/06/coalition-on-the-cards-as-slovakia-s-pm-wins-complicated-election-victory/

EurActiv, 10.03.16: Slovak PM Fico suffers early blow to coalition hopes http://www.euractiv.com/section/central-europe/news/slovak-pm-fico-suffers-early-blow-to-coalition-hopes/

Blog: LSE EuroppBlog, 09.03.16: Slovakia’s election: A party system entering uncharted waters http://bit.ly/1R77eQc

Politico, 15.03.16: Fico nears four-party coalition in Slovakia http://www.politico.eu/article/robert-fico-nears-four-party-coalition-in-slovakia-election-deal/

EurActiv, 18.03.16: Fico says 4-party government may be in place next week http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/fico-says-4-party-government-may-be-in-place-next-week/

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2016: Far right a threat to Slovakia's culture http://www.eurotopics.net/en/155946/far-right-a-threat-to-slovakia-s-culture

Deutsche Welle, 23.03.16: Slovakia's president swears in contentious coalition government http://dw.com/p/1IIWR

EurActiv, 24.03.16: Slovakia’s Fico to lead his third government http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/slovakias-fico-to-lead-his-third-government/

EUObserver, 25.04.16: New Slovak government in convalescence https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/133199

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