Direction – Social Democracy
Direction – Social Democracy (Slovak: Smer – sociálna demokracia), also commonly referred to as Smer, is a left-wing nationalist political party in Slovakia led by the incumbent prime minister Robert Fico.[24]
Direction – Social Democracy Smer – sociálna demokracia | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | Smer |
| Leader | Robert Fico |
| Deputy Leaders | See list
|
| General Secretary | Marián Saloň |
| Founder | Robert Fico |
| Founded | 8 November 1999 |
| Split from | Party of the Democratic Left |
| Headquarters | Súmračná 3263/25, 82102 Bratislava |
| Youth wing | Young Social Democrats |
| Membership (2022) | 13,095[1] |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre-left[17] to left-wing[18][19] |
| European affiliation | Party of European Socialists (suspended)[20] |
| International affiliation | |
| European Parliament group | Non-Inscrits[21] |
| Colours | |
| Slogan | "Stability, order and social security" (2023)[22] |
| National Council | 42 / 150 |
| European Parliament | 2 / 14 |
| Regional governors[23] | 1 / 8 |
| Regional deputies[a][23] | 50 / 419 |
| Mayors[a][23] | 516 / 2,904 |
| Local councillors[a][23] | 2,364 / 20,462 |
| Website | |
| strana-smer | |
Founded by Fico in 1999 as a split from the post-communist Party of the Democratic Left, Smer initially defined itself as the Third Way party.[25] It adopted the epithet Social Democracy after merging with several minor center-left parties in 2005.[26] It dominated Slovak politics from 2006 to 2020, leading two coalition governments (2006–2010, 2016–2020) and one single-party government (2012–2016). During its 12 years in charge it continued the European integration of Slovakia, lifted some economic-liberal reforms of the previous center-right governments and introduced various social welfare measures.[27] Smer-led governments have been associated with numerous political corruption scandals, and have been accused by opponents to have resulted in a deterioration of the rule of law in Slovakia.[28][29][30][31][32]
Since the 2020 parliamentary election – its return to the opposition, Slovak authorities have been investigating wide-ranging cases of political corruption involving a number of Smer politicians and high-ranking officials linked to the party, with several individuals being convicted.[33][34][35] At the party congress in July 2020, following a major internal split (which resulted in the founding of the Hlas party), Fico announced a shift to "the rustic social democracy that perceives the specifics of Slovak reality".[36][37] Post-2020 Smer holds stances that have been described as nationalist, populist and Russophilic.[38][39][40][41][42][43][44]
In 2023, Smer won the parliamentary election with 23% of the vote and 42 seats in the National Council and subsequently formed the Fourth cabinet of Robert Fico.[45]
History edit
Foundation and early years (1999–2006) edit
Originally named Direction (Slovak: Smer), the party was founded on 8 November 1999, emerging as a breakaway from the post-Communist Party of the Democratic Left (SDĽ), the successor of the original Communist Party of Slovakia and the governing party from 1998 to 2002. Under Robert Fico, at the time one of the most popular politicians in the country, it quickly became one of the most popular parties in Slovakia, while the SDĽ experienced a constant decrease within popularity. In the 2002 Slovak parliamentary election, its first formal election period, it became the third-largest party in the National Council of the Slovak Republic, with 25 of 150 seats. In 2003, it changed its formal name to Direction (Third Way) (Slovak: Smer (tretia cesta))[46] and Party of Civic Understanding merged into the party.
In 2005, the party absorbed the SDĽ and the Social Democratic Alternative, a small social democratic party that split from the original SDĽ somewhat later than Direction did, in addition to the Social Democratic Party of Slovakia. Founded in 1990, the party became known for the leadership of Alexander Dubček, and Direction adopted the epithet Social Democracy. Following the party's victory in 2006, Smer entered into a coalition with the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS) and was readmitted into the Party of European Socialists (PES) in 2008. It later formed another coalition with the SNS in 2016.
Government (2006–2010) edit
In the 2006 Slovak parliamentary election, the party won 29.1% of the popular vote and 50 of 150 seats. Following that election, Smer formed a coalition government with the People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (HZDS) and the SNS,[47] an extremist nationalist party.[48][49][50]
On 12 October 2006, the party was temporarily suspended from membership in the PES.[51] The resolution to suspend the party referred specifically to the PES Declaration "For a modern, pluralist and tolerant Europe", adopted in Berlin by the PES congress in 2001, which states that "all PES parties adhere to the following principles ... [and] to refrain from any form of political alliance or co-operation at all levels with any political party which incites or attempts to stir up racial or ethnic prejudices and racial hatred." In The Slovak Spectator, the PES chairman Poul Nyrup Rasmussen commented: "Most of our members stood solidly behind our values, according to which forming a coalition with the extreme right is unacceptable."[52] The party was readmitted on 14 February 2008 after its chairman Fico and SNS leader Jan Slota pledged in a letter to respect European values, human rights, and all ethnic minorities.[53]
Opposition (2010–2012) edit
Although the party won the most votes in the 2010 Slovak parliamentary election, with a lead of 20% over the second-place Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party (SDKÚ),[54] they had not been able to form a government because of losses sustained by their coalition partners. Their result, 34.8%, gave them 62 of 150 seats in the National Council, but the HZDS failed to cross the 5% threshold, losing all their seats, and the SNS was reduced to nine seats. The four opposition centre-right parties (the Christian Democratic Movement, Freedom and Solidarity, Bridge, and SDKÚ) were able to form a new government.[55]
Government (2012–2020) edit
In the 2012 Slovak parliamentary election, Smer won 44.4% of the votes and became the largest party in the National Council, with an absolute majority of 83 seats (out of 150).[56] Fico's Second Cabinet was the first single-party government in Slovakia since 1993. In the 2014 European Parliament election in Slovakia, Smer came in first place nationally, receiving 24.09% of the vote and electing four Members of the European Parliament.[57]
Despite suffering a significant loss in support as a result of strikes by teachers and nurses earlier in the year,[58] Smer won the 5 March 2016 parliamentary election with 28.3% of the vote and 49 of 150 seats, and subsequently formed Fico's Third Cabinet in a coalition government with Bridge, Network, and the Slovak National Party. Prime Minister Fico resigned in the wake of the political crisis following the murder of Ján Kuciak and was replaced by Peter Pellegrini, with the same majority. However, Fico remained leader of Smer.[citation needed]
Opposition (2020–2023) edit
The party managed to score 18.29% in the 2020 Slovak parliamentary election, which was 2 to 3 percent more than the latest polls showed, but it was still a decrease of 10% compared to previous elections. The party occupied 38 seats in parliament. Pellegrini, the chairman of the Fico parliamentary group, became the vice-chairman of the National Council for the Opposition on the basis of post-election negotiations.[citation needed] In May 2020, two deputies for Smer (Ján Podmanický and Marián Kéry) founded a value policy platform with deputies from KDŽP, elected as a candidate of the Kotlebists – People's Party Our Slovakia. Because of this, Pellegrini sharply criticized them, while Fico defended Podmanický. In May 2020, Podmanický also left the Smer parliamentary group after criticism from his own ranks.[citation needed]
As early as April 2020, party vice-chairman Pellegrini announced his ambition to run for party chairman as Smer's most popular politician, winning 170,000 more votes than the chairman. Fico reacted strongly, saying that he did not intend to resign and wanted to remain at the head of the party, while Pellegrini gradually began to tighten his criticism of Fico and the party's situation. Pellegrini criticized the fact that the party's presidency had not met since the election and the date of the parliament was unknown. Pellegrini demanded that the assembly be held as soon as possible, while Fico insisted that the nomination assembly take place only at a ceremonial assembly in December 2020.[citation needed]
At a June 2020 press conference in Banská Bystrica, Pellegrini announced that he would resign as Vice-Chairman of Smer and leave the party in the near future. He also outlined the establishment of a new party, Voice – Social Democracy (Hlas), which he said should be social democratic, but refuse to be liberal. Around that time, Fico had already offered Pellegrini the position of party chairman, provided that he maintained his influence in the party, an offer which was rejected by Pellegrini. In the first FOCUS survey, 21.4% of respondents said they would vote for the new Pellegrini party, while those saying they would vote for the original Smer remained at 9.6%. At a press conference one week following the announcement of Pellegrini's departure, another 10 deputies announced they would leave the party, including Vice-Presidents Peter Žiga and Richard Raši, Bureau member Denisa Saková and long-standing deputies and party members. At the same time, together with Pellegrini, they announced the creation of a new social-democratic party at the press conference, which they would join. Political scientist Grigory Mesezhnikov postulated that after the departure of the Pellegrini group, the Smer could move further to the left into the spectrum of the radical to communist left.[citation needed]
Government (2023–present) edit
As Smer won the parliamentary election held on 30 September 2023 with 23% of the vote and 42 seats in the National Council, Robert Fico, the party's leader was given a mandate to form a government.[59] The Fourth cabinet of Robert Fico comprising Smer, Voice – Social Democracy (Hlas) and the Slovak National Party (SNS) sworn in on 25 October 2023.
Foreign policy edit
Fico has promised to cut all aid to Ukraine as a result of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, and has promised to block Ukrainian ascension to NATO should the subject be broached under his tenure. Fico has also stated that the Ukrainian government is run by neo-Nazis.[60]
Legal reforms edit
In December 2023, Smer introduced a set of legal reforms.
It comprehends the abolition of the Office of the Special Prosecutor, whose activities the party has harshly criticized since its return to the opposition in 2020. The party argues that the aim of the reform is to eliminate presumed inconsistencies in the prosecution system and the alleged systemic bias of the institution. In a review for the government, Eduard Burda, dean of the Comenius University Law Faculty stated that a criminal group may be operating within Office of the Special Prosecutor and it must be checked. According to him, the office is a potential criminogenic factor, its prosecutors have a low quality of decision-making and there are suspicions of manipulation of criminal proceedings.
Radoslav Procházka, a lawyer and former politician is critical of the reform: "The optics are very bad, because instead of an extensive debate, this substantial change is to be adopted via an expedited procedure. If it passes, it is likely to reduce the speed and intensity of an important tool in fighting corruption. Nevertheless, a lot will depend on what the prosecutor general will do next with all the cases transferred to his office." Christian Wigand, the European Commission's spokesperson for rule of law expressed the Commission's disapproval of the fast-track procedure of introducing the reform: "The wide-ranging scope of the intended amendments and the numerous areas of EU law concerned require a thorough and sound analysis. This is why, in this letter, we have asked the Slovak government not to advance on the intended amendments as yet, and especially not to resort to a fast-track procedure without proper and thorough consultation." Daniel Lipšic, the incumbent special prosecutor interprets the reform as an attempt to halt investigations into individuals connected to the party: "What did change since 2020 is that this office has prosecuted or started prosecuting also very high-profile corruption and economic crime cases, which means that very influential politicians and people from business – including some very well-known oligarchs – are being prosecuted." The group of critics of the reform also comprehends Zuzana Čaputová, the incumbent President of Slovakia, the parliamentary opposition, and various NGOs, including the Slovak branch of Transparency International.[1]
The set of reforms also includes the liberalization of the Slovak penal policy, which is generally considered stricter compared to other countries of the European Union. However, the motivation for the change has been questioned, as a number of its members are accused of criminal activity, while several individuals associated with the party have been convicted.
Ideology and policies edit
Economic policy edit
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Smer advocates economically left-wing policies.[citation needed]
Foreign policy edit
Smer holds Russophilic and Eurosceptic stances on foreign policy; however, it claims to support Slovakia's membership in the European Union and NATO. The party expresses strong anti-Western, especially anti-American sentiment, often spreading Russian propaganda narratives.[61][62][63]
Regarding the Russo-Ukrainian War, Smer calls for an end to military aid to Ukraine as well as to sanctions against Russia. It interprets the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a proxy war between the US and Russia, with the latter "dealing with threats to its national interests". The party declares that the conflict was provoked in 2014 by "the extermination of citizens of Russian nationality by Ukrainian fascists".[64][65][66]
In its foreign policy manifesto, Smer calls for understanding with countries "with a form of government other than parliamentary democracy", referring to China and Vietnam.[67] During his premiership, party's leader Robert Fico praised the political systems of both countries, describing the Slovak one as clumsy and uncompetitive in comparison.[68] In 2007, Fico made an official state visit to the then leader of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, "discussing the fight against world imperialism" (citing Fico).[69]
Social policy edit
The party holds strongly conservative views on social issues with a record of anti-LGBT,[70][71] anti-Romani,[72][73] Islamophobic[74][75] and anti-immigration statements. It proclaims its strong opposition to liberalism and progressivism, advocating traditional family values and running for the patriotic electorate.[76][77] Party's leading politicians spread disinformations and conspiracy theories, including antisemitic George Soros conspiracy theories.[78][79]
Regarding LGBT rights, it calls for a constitutional ban on same-sex civil unions, marriages as well as adoptions. It opposes the allocation of state subsidies to LGBT rights organizations.[73] In 2022, 21 out of 27 Smer deputies in the National Council voted for a bill prohibiting the display of the rainbow flags on public buildings while the remaining 6 were absent.[80][81]
During the 2015 European migrant crisis, party's leader Robert Fico stated that the government monitors every single Muslim who is on the territory of the Slovak Republic.[82] In 2016, Fico declared that Islam has no place in Slovakia. He challenged multiculturalism and called for the preservation of the country's traditions and identity.[83] In 2021, Fico called on political scientist Jozef Lenč of the Muslim faith, commenting on Smer, not to work as a political scientist in a Christian country.[84]
In 2019, Fico expressed his sympathy for the Member of the National Council of the neo-Nazi People's Party Our Slovakia Milan Mazurek, who was convicted of the intentional crime of defaming a nation, race or belief.[85] In 2022, Smer criticized the proposal for a comprehensive compensatory social benefit for people in need, interpreting it as buying Roma votes before local and regional elections.[86] Fico's rhetoric towards the Romani people in Slovakia is considered hostile, stating that the Romani people in Slovakia drain the social system.[87][88]
In 2023, Fico called for the approval of a law concerning NGOs, according to which non-governmental organizations with foreign funding should be labeled as foreign agents.[89]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the party opposed vaccinations and restrictive measures.[90][91]
It opposed the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in Slovakia.[92]
Financing edit
Like most parties in Slovakia, Smer relies heavily on public party funding. The party received the following amount in public funding (as a share of total funding in percent):[93]
- 2006: 4,750 million euros (94.48%)
- 2007: 1,653 million euros (78.42%)
- 2008: 1,653 million euros (81.55%)
- 2009: 1,652 million euros (59.10%)
- 2010: 6,853 million euros (85.02%)
- 2011: 2,711 million euros (88.56%)
- 2012: 11,143 million euros (97.88%)
- 2013: 3,691 million euros (94.04%)
Controversy edit
Corruption edit
The party is associated with several corruption cases in Slovakia. During the 12 years during which it held power, the media reported on more than 30 alleged corruption cases.[94][95]
As no corruption case has yet been proven in court, and no conviction resulting from a party member's complicity in corruption cases been attained, the party strongly rejects the fact that it has a number of corruption scandals. Its chairman Fico usually points to the cases of his opponents when asked about specific corruption cases. More than once, Fico verbally attacked the media or the journalist himself who asked these questions.[96][97] Some prominent members of Smer, in response to the corruption cases, especially in the 2010s, have admitted that it is a thing of the past and that they made mistakes, while denying that corruption in the state was high.[98]
Election results edit
National Council edit
| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Rank | Seats | +/– | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Robert Fico | 387,100 | 13.5% | 3rd | 25 / 150 | Opposition | |
| 2006 | 671,185 | 29.1% | 1st | 50 / 150 | 25 | Smer–SNS–HZDS | |
| 2010 | 880,111 | 34.8% | 1st | 62 / 150 | 12 | Opposition | |
| 2012 | 1,134,280 | 44.4% | 1st | 83 / 150 | 21 | Smer | |
| 2016 | 737,481 | 28.3% | 1st | 49 / 150 | 34 | Smer–SNS–Bridge–Network (2016) | |
| Smer–SNS–Bridge (2016–2020) | |||||||
| 2020 | Peter Pellegrini[b] | 527,172 | 18.3% | 2nd | 38 / 150 | 11 | Opposition |
| 2023 | Robert Fico | 681,017 | 23.0% | 1st | 42 / 150 | 4 | Smer–Hlas–SNS[99] |
European Parliament edit
| Election | Leader | Votes | % | Rank | Seats | +/– | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Monika Beňová | 118,535 | 16.9% | 3rd | 3 / 14 | S&D | |
| 2009 | Boris Zala | 264,722 | 32.0% | 1st | 5 / 13 | 2 | |
| 2014 | Maroš Šefčovič | 135,089 | 24.1% | 1st | 4 / 13 | 1 | |
| 2019 | Monika Beňová | 154,996 | 15.7% | 2nd | 3 / 14 | 1 |
President edit
| Election | Candidate | 1st round | 2nd round | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Rank | Votes | % | Rank | ||
| 2004 | Endorsed Ivan Gašparovič | 442,564 | 22.3% | 2nd | 1,079,592 | 59.9% | 1st |
| 2009 | Endorsed Ivan Gašparovič | 876,061 | 46.7% | 1st | 1,234,787 | 55.5% | 1st |
| 2014 | Robert Fico | 531,919 | 28.0% | 1st | 893,841 | 40.6% | 2nd |
| 2019 | Endorsed Maroš Šefčovič[c] | 400,379 | 18.7% | 2nd | 752,403 | 41.6% | 2nd |
See also edit
Notes edit
- ^ a b c Also with coalitions.
- ^ Peter Pellegrini served as the electoral leader at the top of the party list, while Robert Fico served as the party chairman.
- ^ Although Maroš Šefčovič was officially an independent, his campaign was funded by the party.
Footnotes edit
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- ^ "Zúrila pandémia a Fico štval davy bez rúšok proti vláde. Hygienici dali Smeru niekoľkotisícovú pokutu" (in Slovak). aktuality.sk. 6 December 2022.
- ^ "Pred štyrmi rokmi sa Fico prijatím Istanbulského dohovoru chválil, teraz ho odmieta a hádže na Radičovú" (in Slovak). Denník N. 25 February 2018.
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- ^ Aktuality.sk (7 March 2017). "Najväčšie korupčné kauzy od roku 2006". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ^ Čikovský, Konštantín (24 November 2015). "Päť miliardových káuz Smeru". Denník E (in Slovak). Retrieved 12 August 2020.
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External links edit
- (in Slovak)
- Entry in Slovak Interior Ministry's Register of Parties (in Slovak)