Slovakia’s Fico set to outlive no-confidence vote as coalition rebels say they’re going to again him

(Reuters) – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico seems set to outlive an upcoming no-confidence vote after insurgent lawmakers in a single ruling coalition get together mentioned they might not assist the movement.

Opposition events mentioned on Tuesday they had been initiating a no-confidence vote in opposition to Fico’s leftist-nationalist authorities, accusing him of dragging the nation’s international coverage nearer to Russia whereas doing little to repair issues at residence.

The federal government has shifted its international coverage focus since coming to energy late in 2023 by ending state army support to Ukraine because it fights a full-scale Russian invasion and renewing ties with Moscow, together with Fico’s go to there final month.

Fico has confronted dissent from 4 lawmakers from Hlas (Voice), one junior get together within the ruling coalition, whose assist within the no-confidence vote – more likely to happen subsequent week – had been seen as vital.

“We’re a part of the ruling coalition and we would not have a motive to assist the opposition in dismissing the prime minister,” one of many insurgent lawmakers, Jan Ferencak, mentioned on broadcaster TA3.

Ferencak added that altering the course of international coverage in a approach that will have an effect on the nation’s agency roots within the EU and NATO — which Fico has not advised doing — could be a pink line, nevertheless.

Fico noticed his majority in parliament shrink to 76 out of 150 seats when three deputies left SNS, the opposite junior ruling get together, late final yr – though that they had backed the federal government’s price range plan in an important December vote.

Hlas and SNS have additionally been locked in disputes.

The 4 Hlas dissenters have beforehand criticised some ministers, referred to as for a cupboard reshuffle and blocked laws in parliament.

Fico, a four-time prime minister, has mentioned a authorities shake-up or early elections had been amongst his choices if his coalition companions couldn’t get their deputies in line.

On the identical time, Fico has argued with Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, after Kyiv this month halted Russian gasoline shipments transiting its territory to Slovakia.

However at residence, the opposition say he has finished little to sort out points like a large price range deficit, the influence of excessive costs and issues within the healthcare system.