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Robert Fico | |
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| Born | 15 September 1964 (age 61) Topoľčany, Czechoslovak Socialist Republic |
| Political orientation | Social democracy Social conservatism Populism |
| Political party | Direction – Social Democracy |
Robert Fico (born 15 September 1964) is a Slovak politician and lawyer who has served as the prime minister of Slovakia since 2023. Fico is the longest-serving prime minister in Slovakia's history at 12 years in power, having previously served in the position from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 until 2018. He founded the political party Direction – Social Democracy in 1999 and has led the party ever since.
Fico is a Slovakian nationalist and sees war as harmful to Slovakia, as such he has been highly critical of NATO and the EU's warmongering against Russia in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Fico has opposed arms exports to Ukraine and has correctly identified that the war in Ukraine was started by Ukrainian attacks on Russians in Donetsk and Lugansk. In May 2024 a pro-Ukraine 71-year-old Slovak attempted to assassinate Fico, firing five bullets at him and nearly killing him, it is suspected, but unproven, that there was western involvement in the assassination attempt.[1]
His mixture of left-wing populism and social conservatism has given Fico broad appeal within Slovakia and his willingness to work with far-right parties has allowed him to remain in government for a long period. Economically, Fico has adopted social democratic policies, rejecting neoliberalism and austerity in favour of expanding the welfare state and combating privatization. However, socially Fico is a reactionary and targets the LGBT community and immigrants with repressive measures due to his traditional Christian values.[2]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ John Potash (2024-05-28). "Did Western Forces Try to Assassinate Slovakia’s Prime Minister Fico?" CovertAction Magazine. Archived from the original on 2025-11-13.
- ↑ Jakub Bokes (2023-09-05). "For Slovakia’s Left, Welfare Spending and Nationalism Make an Awkward Match" Jacobin. Archived from the original on 2025-07-07.