Slovakia's leftist former Prime Minister Robert Fico beat his progressive rival in a parliamentary election after campaigning to end military aid to Ukraine, but he will need to win over allies to form the next government, nearly complete results showed on Sunday.
  • AutoTL;DRBEnglish
    6•1 year ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    BRATISLAVA, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Slovaks were voting on Saturday in a parliamentary election closely fought between former leftist Prime Minister Robert Fico, who wants to end military aid for neighbouring Ukraine, and pro-Western liberals.

    A government led by Fico would mean Slovakia joining Hungary in challenging the European Union’s consensus on support for Ukraine, just as the bloc looks to keep unity in opposing Russia’s invasion.

    Fico posted a video on Facebook of him casting his vote accompanied by his mother, saying he hoped “common sense” would triumph in the election “so they don’t drag us into adventures, whether its migration or military”.

    Fico has ridden on dissatisfaction with a bickering centre-right coalition whose government collapsed last year, triggering the election six months early.

    Fico’s pro-Russian views reflect traditionally warm sentiments towards Moscow among many Slovaks, which have gathered strength on social media since the Ukraine war started.

    Foreign diplomats and analysts say Slovakia, with the euro zone’s biggest budget deficit of nearly 7% of gross domestic product this year, badly needs EU modernisation and recovery funds, which could make the next government think twice before clashing with Brussels over issues such as rule of law.

    The original article contains 607 words, the summary contains 197 words. Saved 68%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!

  • Rikudou_SageAEnglish
    5•1 year ago

    Don’t worry, our Slovak brothers and sisters, we’re joining you next elections with Babiš. Though he’s Slovak in origin, so I’m blaming you as well.

  • @xmunk@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0•1 year ago

    For the love of God stop Americanizing international elections. His party won a plurality of seats - he may end up not being the prime minister if a coalition government forms in opposition. (I’m not well versed enough on the Slovak government to comment on whether non-plurality coalitions are allowed)

    Parliamentary systems don’t directly elect executives - that’s a dumb system and leads to awful and dysfunctional governments.