In Slovakia, a conservative-led coalition government fell this Thursday after the no-confidence motion initiated by the Freedom and Solidarity party, known as SaS, prevailed in the Bratislava Parliament. The motion was supported by liberal factions and the broader opposition, leaving the centre-right executive in a minority that has persisted since September. A total of 78 votes were cast in favor of the proposal, surpassing the 76-vote threshold required for its passage.
The presidency now faces the task of appointing a new premier to form a government capable of governing for the remaining fourteen months until the next elections, as there is no constitutional provision to immediately dissolve parliament. The nation’s president, Zuzana Čaputová, will nominate a candidate who can assemble a cabinet with the chamber’s approval. If three consecutive attempts by different figures fail to produce a viable government, dissolution could occur, potentially delaying fresh elections for several months.
Čaputová had warned in recent days that the political crisis could deepen and threaten the country’s democratic stability. She emphasized that it would be preferable for citizens to choose their representatives through elections rather than see the crisis worsen.
Previously, the government had planned to submit its general budgets to Parliament the prior Friday. The unfolding crisis has complicated the approval process for state accounts at a time when energy prices are rising, putting pressure on public finances and economic planning.
Opposition forces spanning liberals, ultra-nationalists, and social democrats united behind the SaS-backed resolution, criticizing what they described as a chaotic administration. Leader of the opposition and former Economy Minister Richard Sulík denounced the government’s behavior as disorderly and unpredictable.
Boris Kollár, head of the right-wing populist party We Are Family, who also serves as Speaker of Parliament, publicly apologized for the chaos attributed to his government. At the time of taking office, the coalition enjoyed 96 seats in the 150-seat National Council, but it has since lost nearly a quarter of its mandate, falling seven seats short of an absolute majority.
SaS exited the coalition after accusing Education and Finance decisions of being made without their consultation, a criticism echoing past tensions during the handling of Sputnik vaccine purchases during the pandemic. Critics argue that this internal friction weakened the administration’s cohesion and decision-making capability.
The political rupture means finding a replacement who can secure broad support in the National Council remains a formidable challenge for the new leadership. The parliament is deeply divided, and attaining the 76 votes needed to approve a new government will require navigating a fractured landscape that includes multiple opposition factions.
Observers have suggested that early general elections could be held as soon as June 2023, roughly eight months ahead of schedule. The rapid political realignment underscores a season of uncertainty in Slovak politics and the realignment of coalition and opposition blocs as they seek to shape the country’s path forward. The unfolding events are being tracked closely by analysts and regional observers who note the lasting impact on policy continuity, governance credibility, and Slovakia’s position within the European Union, as reported by regional press and political analysts. [Citation: Local reporting and political briefings; attribution withheld in this summary].