Fico's Fourth Cabinet
Government of Slovakia since 2023 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fico's Fourth Cabinet is the incumbent government of Slovakia. It is a three-party coalition government composed of Direction – Social Democracy (Smer), Voice – Social Democracy (Hlas) and the Slovak National Party (SNS).
Fourth Cabinet of Robert Fico | |
|---|---|
 Government of Slovakia | |
 | |
| Date formed | 25 October 2023 |
| People and organisations | |
| President of Slovakia | Zuzana Čaputová until 15 June 2024Peter Pellegrini from 15 June 2024 |
| Head of government | Robert Fico |
| Head of government's history | 2006–2010 2012–2018 2023–present |
| Deputy head of government | |
| No. of ministers | 17 |
| Member parties |
|
| Status in legislature | Majority (coalition) (2023–January 2025, February 2025–present) Minority (coalition) (January–February 2025) 79 / 150 (53%)
|
| Opposition parties | |
| Opposition leader | Michal Šimečka |
| History | |
| Election | 2023 Slovak parliamentary election |
| Predecessor | Ódor's Cabinet |
It was appointed on 25 October 2023 by President Zuzana Čaputová following the 2023 Slovak parliamentary election.[1][2] The National Council passed a vote of confidence in the government on 21 November 2023.[3]
Composition
| Portfolio | Minister | Took office | Left office | Party | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government's Office | |||||||||
| Prime Minister | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Direction – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Deputy Prime Minister | |||||||||
| Deputy Prime Minister for European Union Subsidies and the Recovery Plan | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Voice – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Defence | |||||||||
| Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Direction – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Economy | |||||||||
| Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Voice – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Environment | |||||||||
| Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Slovak National Party | ||||||
| Ministry of Finance | |||||||||
| Minister of Finance | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Direction – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Transport | |||||||||
| Minister of Transport | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Direction – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development | |||||||||
| Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Direction – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization | |||||||||
| Minister of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization | 25 October 2023 | 19 March 2025 | Voice – Social Democracy | ||||||
| 19 March 2025 | Incumbent | Independent | |||||||
| Ministry of Interior | |||||||||
| Minister of Interior | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Voice – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Justice | |||||||||
| Minister of Justice | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Direction – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs | |||||||||
| Minister of Foreign and European Affairs | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Direction – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family | |||||||||
| Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Family | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Voice – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth | |||||||||
| Minister of Education, Research, Development and Youth | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Voice – Social Democracy | ||||||
| Ministry of Culture | |||||||||
| Minister of Culture | 25 October 2023 | Incumbent | Slovak National Party | ||||||
| Ministry of Health | |||||||||
| Minister of Health | 25 October 2023 | 10 October 2024 | Voice – Social Democracy | ||||||
| 10 October 2024[4] | Incumbent | Voice – Social Democracy | |||||||
| Ministry of Tourism and Sport | |||||||||
| Minister of Tourism and Sport | 1 February 2024 | 5 March 2025 | Slovak National Party | ||||||
| 5 March 2025 | Incumbent | National Coalition / Independent Candidates | |||||||
Supporting parties
| Party | Ideology | Leader | Deputies | Ministers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direction – Social Democracy Smer - sociálna demokracia |
Social conservatism Left-wing nationalism Euroscepticism Populism |
Robert Fico | 42 / 150 |
7 / 17 | |
| Voice – Social Democracy Hlas - sociálna demokracia |
Social democracy Social conservatism Populism |
Matúš Šutaj Eštok | 26 / 150 |
6 / 17 | |
| Slovak National Party Slovenská národná strana |
Ultranationalism National conservatism Euroscepticism |
Andrej Danko | 6 / 150 |
2 / 17 | |
| National Coalition / Independent Candidates Národná koalícia / Nezávislí kandidáti |
National conservatism Slovak nationalism Ultranationalism |
Rudolf Huliak | 3 / 150 |
1 / 17 | |
| Slovak PATRIOT Slovenský PATRIOT |
Social conservatism Slovak nationalism Russophilia |
Miroslav Radačovský | 2 / 150 |
0 / 17 | |
| Independents | 0 / 150 |
1 / 17 | |||
Issues
Summarize
Perspective
![[icon]](#/media/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (December 2023) |
Domestic policy
Rule of law
In December 2023, the Fourth Cabinet of Robert Fico introduced an amendment to the Criminal Code. The government proposed that the bill be debated in a fast-track legislative procedure, arguing that the status quo leads to human rights violations. The amendment included scrapping the Special Prosecutor's Office dealing with high-level corruption and lowering penalties for financial crimes. The fast-track legislative procedure faced widespread criticism from the parliamentary opposition, President Zuzana Čaputová, the European Commission and non-governmental organizations, resulting in a weeks-long opposition parliamentary obstruction and a series of demonstrations.[5]
Critics have raised questions about potential conflicts of interest within the government coalition. They have noted that various individuals with perceived affiliations to the government, alongside accused members of the coalition parties, including the bill's rapporteur, MP Tibor Gašpar of Smer, could be directly affected by the proposed lowering of penalties. Their cases are also overseen by the Special Prosecutor's Office, which the amendment would abolish. The coalition government introduced the amendment, citing the need to shift towards a rehabilitative approach to justice, update the criminal code, and align with European Union standards. Proponent of the law, the Ministry of Justice led by Boris Susko of Smer published the brochure "Overview of Violations of the Principles of the Rule of Law in the Years 2020–2023".[6]
The amendment was finally approved by the National Council on 8 February 2024. The final proposal also included a reduction of the statute of limitations in rape cases from 20 to 10 years, which again caused widespread criticism from the parliamentary opposition, President Zuzana Čaputová and non-governmental organizations. The government defended the reduction of the limitation period by motivating victims to report rape earlier, possibly allowing a return to the 20-year limitation period in the next amendment after the approval of the law.[7]
President Zuzana Čaputová signed the law on 16 February, verbally clearly expressing her opposition to its content. The President argued that by signing the law instead of vetoing it, she wants to create enough time for the Constitutional Court to decide on her submission challenging the constitutionality of the law. As of February 2024, the Constitutional Court is expected to make its decision following the publication of the law in the collection of laws by the Ministry of Justice.[8] In July 2024, Constitutional Court anulled only minor changes in the law.[9]
This reform stopped the prosecution of some corruption cases involving politicians and businessmen, some of whom were close to Fico. Among them were: former minister of finance Ján Počiatek.[10] Oligarch Jozef Výboh, suspected of taking a bribe of 150,000 €, intended for Peter Pellegrini.[11] And acting Speaker of the National Council Peter Žiga, suspected of an attempt to bribe a Supreme Court judge with 100,000 €.[12]
Doctors' Strike
In 2024, the government faced a doctors' strike for better conditions. More than 3,300 doctors submitted their resignations. The government passed a bill according to which, when an emergency situation is declared, doctors can face up to one year in prison or 1,500€ fine for refusing to work, and up to five years if a patient is harmed as a consequence of their departure. Minister of Health Kamil Šaško considered using emergency situation in districts with the highest resignation rates. Ultimately the government signed an agreement with doctors' union with many concessions.[13][14]
NGOs
Fico and some of his coalition members have shown their dislike for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil rights groups.[15] On 30 April 2024, Slovakia's parliament approved in the first reading legislative amendment introduced by the Slovak National Party. The bill would require NGOs which annually receive more than €5,000 from outside of Slovakia to register as "foreign agents", raising fears of the label being used for organisations disliked by the current government.[16][17]
Media
Fico and his political associates have stopped responding to and inviting to their press conferences reporters from some major news outlets that criticise the government, such as Denník N, Aktuality.sk, and Sme, along with broadcaster TV Markíza, calling them "enemy media",[18] while giving preferential treatment to media more favourable to him.[19] Pavol Szalai, the head of the EU and Balkans desk of Reporters Without Borders, stated that Fico was subjecting Slovakia's democracy to a "crash test".[20]
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated: “RSF condemns the ruling parties’ verbal attacks, their attempts to restrict access to information and their questioning of the independence of the public broadcaster RTVS.”[18]
The government has proposed a drastic cut in the financing of the RTVS, as well as a plan to split it into separate radio and television companies, attracting criticism from Reporters Without Borders and other organisations.[21][22]
RSF, International Press Institute, European Federation of Journalists, Free Press Unlimited and European Centre for Press and Media Freedom have voiced their concerns in an open letter to the President and the National Council. They have stated that these government actions can weaken the independence of this media and endanger the freedom of the press in Slovakia.[23][21][22]
In April 2024, the Government of Slovakia approved the Television and Radio Act proposed by prime minister Robert Fico and minister of culture Martina Šimkovičová over alleged partiality of the broadcaster. If the bill is supported by the Parliament of Slovakia, Radio and Television of Slovakia RTVS will be closed by the following June and replaced by a new broadcaster, named STVR.[24][25][26][27]
The new broadcaster STVR was required by law to broadcast the Slovak national anthem once a day, a move seen as a nationalist gesture.[24][28]
In June 2024, the Parliament of Slovakia voted in favor of the media laws. The Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS) was dissolved and replaced by a new media Slovak Television and Radio (STVR).[29][30][31]
Constitutional amendments
On 27 January 2025, Prime Minister: Fico announced plans for constitutional amendments to the Constitution of Slovakia. One would place the constitution higher than international treaties and agreements, another would formally recognize only two genders (Male and female), restrict "gender transition" and prohibit the adoption of children by same-sex couples.[32][33][34][35]
On 9 April 2025, The Parliament of Slovakia passed the government’s constitutional amendment into the second reading. Of the 143 deputies who voted, 81 supported it (Smer-Hlas-SNS), 40 were against and 22 abstained. In addition to the government deputies, the proposal was also supported by opposition deputies Christian Union.[36][37][38]
Foreign policy
Ukraine
Fico is widely seen as pro-Russian,[39][40][41] and his government has stopped militarily supporting Ukraine, saying he "will not send one bullet" to Ukraine.[42][43][44] Fico has been opposing sanctions against Russia, with his standpoint on Ukraine being compared to that of Viktor Orbán.[43] In an RTVS interview, Fico questioned Ukraine's sovereignty and independence, claiming that Ukraine is just a US puppet, sparking outrage in both Slovakia and Ukraine. He has also stated that Slovakia will veto Ukraine's NATO membership, and has pushed for a peace deal, even if Ukraine suffers territorial losses. His words regarding Ukraine have been described as "heartless", "vulgar" and "disgraceful".[45][46]
Upon taking office, Fico officially ended Slovakia's arms supplies to Ukraine. However, he has since taken a somewhat different line on Ukraine in office than during his election campaign. During a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in January 2024, Fico promised not to block private Slovak arms companies from selling to Ukraine, not to block EU financial support for Ukraine, and to support the accession of Ukraine to the European Union. He described Slovakia's political differences with Ukraine as "minor" and claimed to support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.[47][48]
Fico met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in December 2024 in Moscow to discuss primarily the transfer of Russian gas to Slovakia.[49] He become the third Western leader to do so since the war started.[50]
In 2025 February, The Slovak National Party criticised Fico for his support for United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/7, suggesting that Slovakia should have opposed the resolution in line with Hungary's position.[51][52]
Notes
- Ran on the party list of Slovak National Party. Left the parliamentary group on 22 October 2024 and are sitting as independents in the National Council.
- Ran on the party list of Slovak National Party.
- Ran on the coalition list of OĽaNO and Friends.
- Ran on the party list of Slovak National Party. Left the parliamentary group on 22 October 2024 and are sitting as independents in the National Council.
- Ran on the coalition list of OĽaNO and Friends.
- Ran on the coalition list of OĽaNO and Friends.
- Ran on the coalition list of OĽaNO and Friends and the party list of Slovakia.
- Ran on the party list of Freedom and Solidarity.
- Ľubomír Galko ran on the coalition list of OĽaNO and Friends and the party list of Slovakia. He left the parliamentary group on 5 September 2024 and is sitting as independent in the National Council.
- Independent, ran on the party list of and nominated by Slovak National Party.
- Independent, nominated by Direction – Social Democracy.
- Ran on the party list of Voice – Social Democracy, left the parliamentary group on 24 January 2025 and nominated by Direction – Social Democracy as a result of a coalition crisis.
- Independent, ran on the party list of and nominated by Slovak National Party.
- Independent, nominated by Slovak National Party.
- Chairman of National Coalition / Independent Candidates, ran on the party list of Slovak National Party, left the parliamentary group on 22 October 2024 and nominated by Direction – Social Democracy as a result of a coalition crisis.
References
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