Smer-SD would not join Viktor Orbán’s new Patriots for Europe group, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated, according to Euractiv.
On Thursday, Fico posted a Facebook video in which he spoke about Smer’s attempts to reunite with the Party of European Socialists (PES).
The European socialists probably think that we will sell our soul. And that we will give up our sovereign positions on Ukraine, the right to veto, migration or ethical issues in exchange for membership in their party and faction.
However, PES suspended Smer and Hlas MEPs in December 2023 after growing criticism of their pro-Russian views, convergence with national-oriented movements and Smer’s shift from socialist values.
“If we are expected to go somewhere and simply parrot the wishes of others, even if it starkly contradicts Slovak national interests, then let me say in advance: Thank you, but our MEPs would prefer to remain non-inscrits.”
On Wednesday, Smer MEP Monika Beňová proposed ending negotiations with the EU Socialists and announced that she would present her colleagues with a “different plan” that would be “fair and authentic” for Smer.
This raised expectations that Smer would join the Patriots for Europe, but Fico denied that in a video message.
Smer, as an authentic Slovak social democracy, cannot join European political structures that have nothing at all to do with the left and social democracy.
Fico, who has just returned to office after partially recovering from an attempt on his life in May, also stated that he expected “another shooting” in Slovakia. He said the opposition was again “spreading hatred.”
