EU Socialists to Expel Slovakia's Fico's Party from Their Ranks
Prime Minister Robert Fico's visit to Beijing in the first week of September took a backseat as the Party of European Socialists (PES) made a significant decision last Thursday. The PES voted to permanently expel Slovakia's Smer party from its ranks.
The decision was not a sudden one, as Smer's membership had been suspended since October 2023. This suspension followed allegations of undermining the rule of law in Bratislava, which Prime Minister Fico, also the leader of the Smer party, has been accused of.
The name of the party ratifying the exclusion decision in Amsterdam between October 16 and 18, 2025, remains undisclosed. However, the decision comes after a series of events, including Prime Minister Fico's meeting with Vladimir Putin in Moscow in May, which may have contributed to the PES's decision.
It is important to note that Smer's ally party, Hlas, remains suspended but not yet expelled from the PES. Both parties have yet to comment on the matter, with neither the Smer party's press office nor its EU lawmakers responding to requests for comment. The European Socialists also did not reply to a request for comment.
This decision by the PES could have far-reaching implications for Slovakia's political landscape. The adoption of sanctions against Russia, which has been slowed down by Prime Minister Fico, could potentially speed up if the Smer party is no longer a part of the PES.
The article has been updated since its initial publication to reflect the latest developments. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how Slovakia's political landscape evolves in the coming months.
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