Slovakia has new Prime Minister, will end military support for Ukraine

Robert Fico has been appointed Slovakia's prime minister, marking the fourth return to power of the populist leftist leader who has pledged to end military support for Ukraine.

Slovak President Zuzana Caputova appointed Fico and a new Cabinet on October 25 after her SMER Party won the September 30 general election and formed a coalition with the center-left Hlas Party and the far-right SNS Party.

Mr Fico resigned as Slovakia's prime minister in 2018 amid mass public protests against corruption after a journalist was murdered.

This time, he campaigned heavily on pledges to end Slovakia's official military aid to Ukraine, pursue an independent foreign policy from EU and US partners, and be tough on migrants trying to pass through his country to Western Europe.

Mr. Robert Fico and Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova shake hands, October 25, 2023. Photo: The Guardian

Last week, President Caputova refused to support Rudolf Huliak of the right-wing populist SNS party as Environment Minister in Mr Fico's new Cabinet.

Ms Caputova agreed on October 25 to appoint a government with Mr Fico as Prime Minister, after Mr Huliak was replaced by another SNS candidate, Mr Tomas Taraba.

“SNS feels a great responsibility to form this government so that the person appointed as Prime Minister can go to Brussels on October 26 to defend Slovakia’s interests in the field of the migration pact,” Mr. Taraba said at a press conference on October 24, explaining the change of ministerial candidate in the Slovakian Cabinet as European Union (EU) leaders prepare to meet at their headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

Both Ukraine and migration are likely to be among the topics at the EU summit on 26-27 October that Mr Fico will attend as Slovakia's prime minister.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Mr Fico is expected to attend a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels this week, according to his spokesman .

Minh Duc (According to Reuters, Politico EU)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/slovakia-co-thu-tuong-moi-se-cham-dut-ho-tro-quan-su-cho-ukraine-a632770.html