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Summary:
Information Guide focusing on the snap legislative election held in Slovakia on 30 September 2023.
Further information:
Slovakia's unicameral Parliament - the National Council, or Národná rada - comprises 150 seats and it is the sole constitutional and legislative body of the country. Members of the Parliament are elected directly for a term lasting four years, under the proportional system. The whole country forms one multi-member constituency. The election threshold is five percent (and seven percent for formal coalitions), and voters may indicate their preferences within the semi-open list.
The instability of the country's political situation intensified following the withdrawal of SAS from the governing coalition, citing irreconcilable divergence with O'LaNO. SAS later introduced a no-confidence vote, which the government lost leading to its collapse. The Parliament endorsed the date for an early election in January 2023, following an amendment to the Constitution. The outgoing Prime Minister initially remained in power in a caretaking capacity, but resigned in early May. A new technocratic cabinet was sworn in by the country's President, but it later lost a mandatory confidence vote in Parliament. The head of government eventually stayed in office as leader of (another) caretaker cabinet.
The election campaign focused on corruption scandals, social values, political infighting, the country's economic outlook, and Slovakia's support to Ukraine following Russia's invasion. The election was won by the opposition SMER-SD (23%), followed by PS (18%) and HLAS (14.7%). As no political force achieved a parliamentary majority, coalition negotiations ensued.
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Related Links |
- Commentary and Analysis
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Balkan Insight: Review, 20/01/2023: Slovakia set for referendum and early election
https://balkaninsight.com/2023/01/20/democracy-digest-slovakia-set-for-referendum-and-early-election/
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Foreign Policy: Analysis, 18/07/2023: The West Can’t Ignore Slovakia’s Election
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/07/18/slovakia-elections-fico-russia-ukraine-war-propaganda/
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GLOBSEC: Projects, 04/08/2023: Pre-election Monitoring of Slovak Information Space
https://www.globsec.org/what-we-do/projects/pre-election-monitoring-slovak-information-space
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Balkan Insight: Analysis, 22/08/2023: Slovak opposition claims Sep election will be stolen - and too many believe it
https://balkaninsight.com/2023/08/22/slovak-opposition-claims-sep-election-will-be-stolen-and-too-many-believe-it/
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The Guardian: Commentary, 05/09/2023: At a stroke, Slovakia could soon become Russia’s newest ally
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/05/slovakia-elections-robert-fico-ukraine-russia
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BBC News: The Documentary Podcast, 05/09/2023: Slovakia divided
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0gbmw3k
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Balkan Insight: Interview, 05/09/2023: Slovak election pitches past against future, says democratic contender
https://balkaninsight.com/2023/09/05/slovak-election-pitches-past-against-future-says-democratic-contender/
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EurActiv: The Capitals, 08/09/2023: Upcoming Slovakian elections: everything you need to know
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/upcoming-slovakian-elections-everything-you-need-to-know/
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Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA): Insights & Analysis, 13/09/2023: Slovak Election Forecast — Choppy But Not (Yet) Stormy
https://cepa.org/article/slovak-election-forecast-choppy-but-not-yet-stormy/
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University of Birmingham: News, 13/09/2023: Will Slovakia Change Direction (Again)?
https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/will-slovakia-change-direction-again
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Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 14/09/2023: The Slovak Election and Its Ramifications for European Foreign Policy
https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/90555
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Heinrich Böll Foundation (Prague): Studies, 18/09/2023: Slovakia: Foreign policy agenda of political parties: the greatest differences in approach to Moscow and Beijing
https://cz.boell.org/en/2023/09/12/zahranicnopoliticka-agenda-v-programoch-strany-najviac-rozdeluje-pristup-k-moskve
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Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW): Commentary, 19/09/2023: Slovakia before the parliamentary election: back to the past
https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2023-09-19/slovakia-parliamentary-election-back-to-past
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UK in a Changing Europe: Commentary, 20/09/2023: Slovakia’s elections: big decisions, but not necessarily decisive
https://ukandeu.ac.uk/slovakias-elections-big-decisions-but-not-necessarily-decisive/
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Foreign Policy, 20/09/2023: Slovakia Is Headed Back to the (Recent) Past
https://foreignpolicy.com/2023/09/20/slovakia-snap-elections-robert-fico-prime-minister-smer-nato-ukraine/
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Atlantic Council: Eye on Europe's Elections, 22/09/2023: Your primer on the Slovak elections
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/eye-on-europes-elections/your-primer-on-the-slovak-elections/
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Notes from Poland: The VoiCEE Podcast, 22/09/2023: Slovak parliamentary elections and how it will impact CEE and support for Ukraine
https://notesfrompoland.com/2023/09/22/the-voicee-podcast-slovak-parliamentary-elections-and-how-it-will-impact-cee-and-support-for-ukraine/
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Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES), 23/09/2023: Will there be a Change of Course in Slovakia? National Council Elections in the Slovak Republic and their consequences for Austria and the EU
https://www.aies.at/news/de/election-slovakia-3043
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The Guardian: Q&A, 25/09/2023: Slovakian elections Q&A: country votes after four PMs in five years
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/25/slovakian-elections-qa-country-votes-after-four-pms-in-five-years
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Friedrich Naumann Foundation: Analysis, 25/09/2023: Harsh election campaign: Does Europe have to fear a Slovak Orbán?
https://www.freiheit.org/harsh-election-campaign-does-europe-have-fear-slovak-orban
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London School of Economics (LSE): EUROPP Blog, 25/09/2023: Will Robert Fico return to power in Slovakia?
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2023/09/25/will-robert-fico-return-to-power-in-slovakia/
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German Marshall Fund (GMF) of the United States: Insights, 27/09/2023: Beyond Foreign Policy: The Domestic Consequences of Smer’s Potential Election Victory in Slovakia
https://www.gmfus.org/news/beyond-foreign-policy-domestic-consequences-smers-potential-election-victory-slovakia
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Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe: Events, 28/09/2023: Parliamentary elections in Slovakia
https://www.idm.at/events/parliamentary-elections-in-slovakia/
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Politico: Opinion, 28/09/2023: Why Slovakia’s election doesn’t really matter
https://www.politico.eu/article/why-the-slovak-election-doesnt-really-matter/
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The Conversation, 28/09/2023: Slovakia may be about to elect a government which plans to halt aid to Kyiv
https://theconversation.com/slovakia-may-be-about-to-elect-a-government-which-plans-to-halt-aid-to-kyiv-214452
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Robert Schuman Foundation: European Elections Monitor (EEM): Analysis, 30/09/2023: Will Robert Fico be able to return to office in Slovakia?
https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/monitor/5849-will-robert-fico-be-able-to-return-to-office-in-slovakia
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The Spectator (UK): Coffee House, 01/10/2023: How a pro-Russia party triumphed in Slovakia’s election
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/how-a-pro-russia-party-triumphed-in-slovakias-election/
- News
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The Slovak Spectator: 2023 parliamentary election
https://spectator.sme.sk/t/9362/2023-parliamentary-election
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Reuters, 22/01/2023: Slovakia's former coalition heads agree to early parliamentary elections
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-former-coalition-heads-agree-early-parliamentary-elections-2023-01-22/
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Deutsche Welle, 23/01/2023: Slovakia: September election likely after failed referendum
https://p.dw.com/p/4MZcb
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Associated Press (AP News), 31/01/2023: Slovakia’s parliament sets early election for Sept 30
https://apnews.com/article/politics-slovakia-government-ukraine-zuzana-caputova-872ae94652d69d0a4bcbf8517faeeaa0
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Reuters, 07/03/2023: Slovak prime minister starts new pro-Western party for Sept election
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovak-prime-minister-starts-new-pro-western-party-sept-election-2023-03-07/
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Politico, 07/05/2023: Slovak caretaker PM quits, adding momentum to pro-Russia rival
https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-caretaker-prime-minister-eduard-heger-quit-momentum-pro-russia-rival-robert-fico/
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Associated Press (AP News), 15/06/2023: Slovakia’s technocrat government loses mandatory confidence vote, to stay till September snap vote
https://apnews.com/article/slovakia-government-ousted-confidence-vote-393b17d7224770fb584666efffcbf585
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Deutsche Welle, 06/08/2023: Bear attacks shake up election season in Slovakia
https://p.dw.com/p/4UnYU
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Deutsche Welle, 17/08/2023: Slovakia spy chief facing criminal charges ahead of key vote
https://p.dw.com/p/4VIW2
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EurActiv, 23/08/2023: Volt could get a second MEP after Slovak snap election
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/volt-could-get-a-third-mep-after-slovak-snap-election/
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Deutsche Welle, 06/09/2023: Slovakia: Scandal overshadows pivotal election
https://p.dw.com/p/4VzgA
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EurActiv, 12/09/2023: Pro-Kremlin populist tipped to win Slovak elections
https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/pro-kremlin-populist-tipped-to-win-slovak-elections/
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TVP World, 13/09/2023: Slovakia’s political climate heats up ahead of September 30 snap elections
https://tvpworld.com/72696225/slovakias-political-climate-heats-up-ahead-of-september-30-snap-elections
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European University Institute (EUI): News, 14/09/2023: Online tool helps voters decide in the Slovak 2023 elections
https://www.eui.eu/news-hub?id=online-tool-helps-voters-decide-in-the-slovak-2023-elections
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Associated Press (AP News), 18/09/2023: As Slovakia’s trust in democracy fades, its election frontrunner campaigns against aid to Ukraine
https://apnews.com/article/slovakia-election-fico-ukraine-russia-democracy-smer-e9e04e59361d927918ff9e8e6e830694
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Reuters, 21/09/2023: 'Not a single round': Slovak election could see Kyiv lose staunch ally
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/not-single-round-slovak-election-could-see-kyiv-lose-staunch-ally-2023-09-21/
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Reuters, 21/09/2023: Slovakia's SMER party holds lead before Sept. 30 election, poll shows
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-smer-party-holds-lead-before-sept-30-election-poll-2023-09-21/
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Politico, 26/09/2023: Specter of Russian interference hangs over Slovak election, EU warns
https://www.politico.eu/article/european-union-slovakia-elections-russian-interference-disinformation/
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EUObserver, 27/09/2023: Resurgent Fico hopes for Slovak comeback at Saturday's election
https://euobserver.com/eu-political/157460
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Europe Elects, 28/09/2023: Why Slovakia’s Election Does Really Matter, Despite What Politico Tells You
https://europeelects.eu/2023/09/28/why-slovakias-election-does-really-matter/
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France24, 30/09/2023: Slovakia votes in elections threatening Western unity on Ukraine
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20230930-slovakia-votes-in-elections-threatening-western-unity-on-ukraine
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Bloomberg, 30/09/2023: Pro-EU Party, Firebrand Ex-Premier Neck-And-Neck in Slovakia
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-09-30/firebrand-ex-premier-pro-eu-party-neck-and-neck-in-slovak-vote?leadSource=uverify%20wall
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EurActiv, 01/10/2023: Pro-Kremlin populist Fico wins Slovakia elections
https://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/pro-kremlin-populist-fico-wins-slovakia-elections/
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The Guardian, 01/10/2023: Slovakia election: pro-Moscow former PM on course to win with almost all votes counted
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/01/slovakia-election-pro-moscow-former-pm-on-course-to-win-with-almost-all-votes-counted
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Euronews, 01/10/2023: Pro-Russian party wins Slovakia's election, but not outright
https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/01/pro-russian-party-wins-slovakias-election-but-not-outright
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BBC News, 01/10/2023: Slovakia elections: Populist party wins vote but needs allies for coalition
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66972984
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Politico, 01/10/2023: Former PM Fico wins Slovak election
https://www.politico.eu/article/former-pm-fico-wins-slovak-election/
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Reuters, 01/10/2023: Pro-Russian ex-PM Fico wins Slovak election, needs allies for government
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovaks-choose-between-pro-russian-ex-pm-fico-pro-western-liberals-2023-09-29/
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Politico, 01/10/2023: Coalition jockeying revs up in Slovakia after Fico’s victory
https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-election-prime-minister-robert-fico-smer-hlas-patience-coalition/
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Deutsche Welle, 01/10/2023: Slovakia elections: Populist Fico grabs victory
https://p.dw.com/p/4WzSm
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RTÉ News, 01/10/2023: Slovak populists opposed to Ukraine aid win election
https://www.rte.ie/news/2023/1001/1408309-slovakia-election/
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Radio Poland, 01/10/2023: Pro-Russian politician wins Slovak election
https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7785/artykul/3252515
- Official
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Slovak Government: Ministry of the Interior: State Commission for Elections and Control of Political Party Financing [in Slovak]
https://www.minv.sk/?uvod-komisia-pre-volby
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Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE): ODIHR: Early Parliamentary Elections, 30 September 2023
https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/slovakia/548812
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Wikipedia: 2023 Slovak parliamentary election
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Slovak_parliamentary_election
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