View source for Direction – Social Democracy

{{Short description|Slovak political party}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox political party
| name             = Direction – Social Democracy
| native_name      = Smer – sociálna demokracia
| native_name_lang = sk
| logo             = Logo of the Direction – Slovak Social Democracy.svg
| logo_size        = 150px
| colorcode        = {{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}
| abbreviation     = Smer
| leader           = [[Robert Fico]]
| founder          = Robert Fico
| foundation       = {{start date|1999|11|8|df=y}}
| split            = [[Party of the Democratic Left (Slovakia)|Party of the Democratic Left]]
| headquarters     = Súmračná 3263/25, 82102 [[Bratislava]]
| youth_wing       = [[Young Social Democrats (Slovakia)|Young Social Democrats]]
| membership_year  = 2022
| membership       = {{increase}} 13,095<ref name="vs2022">{{cite web |title=Výročná správa |url=https://www.minv.sk/swift_data/source/statna_komisia_pre_volby/30_annual_report/ar2022/VS22_SMER.pdf |publisher=Ministerstvo vnútra Slovenskej republiky |access-date=2023-07-29}}</ref>
| ideology         = {{ublist|class = nowrap
| [[Left-wing nationalism]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ceeidentity.eu/sites/default/files/downloads/zelinsky_final.pdf |title=Great Expectations: Slovak Nationalist initiatives in the light of Communal Elections 2014 |last=Želinský |first=Dominik |publisher=CEE Idenitity – National Identities |website=ceeidentity.eu |access-date=9 May 2016 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121123004/http://www.ceeidentity.eu/sites/default/files/downloads/zelinsky_final.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ln2023">{{cite web |title=Spectre of Radical Changes: Slovakia in Flux Ahead of National Council Elections |url=https://www.pism.pl/publications/spectre-of-radical-changes-slovakia-in-flux-ahead-of-national-council-elections |publisher=PISM |access-date=2023-12-13}}</ref>
 | [[Social democracy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/slovakia.html |title=Slovakia |website=Parties and Elections in Europe |first=Wolfram |last=Nordsieck |access-date=4 March 2020 |year=2020}}</ref>
 | [[Left-wing populism]]<ref>{{cite web |date=2022-04-26 |title=Report on Panel #1 / Mapping European Populism: Populist Authoritarian Tendencies in Central and Eastern Europe, and Challenges to the EU – ECPS |url=https://www.populismstudies.org/report-on-panel-1-mapping-european-populism-populist-authoritarian-tendencies-in-central-and-eastern-europe-and-challenges-to-the-eu/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |date=August 2015 |title=The Case of Smer Party in Slovakia |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298765949 |journal=ECPR General Conference}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2021-06-30 |title=Direction – Slovak Social Democracy party (Smer-SD) |url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/experts/direction-slovak-social-democracy-party-smer-sd |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Clean Energy Wire}}</ref>
 | [[Social conservatism]]<ref name="LaBruyère2010">{{cite web |author= |date= 11 May 2021|title=Fico hovorí o LGBTI ľuďoch čoraz vulgárnejšie, jeho štátna tajomníčka pritom podporila Pride |url=https://dennikn.sk/2385528/fico-hovori-o-lgbti-ludoch-coraz-vulgarnejsie-jeho-statna-tajomnicka-pritom-podporila-pride/ |access-date= |publisher=[[Denník N]] |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="LaBruyère20102">{{cite web |author= |date= 16 May 2022|title=Kto získa anti-cenu Homofób roka? Výrokmi sa "blysli" Fico, Matovič a v päťke nominovaných je aj Haľko |url=https://sita.sk/kto-ziska-anti-cenu-homofob-roka-vyrokmi-sa-blysli-fico-matovic-a-nominovany-je-aj-halko/ |access-date= |publisher=SITA |language=sk}}</ref>
 | [[Russophilia]]<ref name="CNN0210">{{cite web |author= |date= October 2023|title=Pro-Russian politician wins Slovakia's parliamentary election |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/01/world/slovakia-election-pro-russia-robert-fico-win-intl-hnk/index.html#:~:text=A%20party%20headed%20by%20a,and%20EU%20unity%20on%20Ukraine. |access-date= |publisher=CNN |language=en}}</ref>
}}
| position         = {{nowrap|[[Centre-left politics|Centre-left]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Henley |first=Jon |date=2 October 2023 |title=Who is Robert Fico, the pro-Russian leader poised to head Slovakia's coalition government? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/02/who-is-robert-fico-the-pro-russian-leader-poised-to-head-slovakias-coalition-government |work=The Guardian |access-date=19 October 2023}}</ref> to [[Left-wing politics|left-wing]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cameron |first1=Rob |last2=Goksedef |first2=Ece |date=1 October 2023 |title=Slovakia elections: Populist party wins vote but needs allies for coalition |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66972984 |work=BBC News |access-date=19 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Schmitz |first=Rob |date=2 October 2023 |title=Worry and concern follow pro-Kremlin candidate's victory in Slovakia election |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/02/1202978126/slovakia-election-fico-ukraine-russia |work=NPR |location=Berlin |access-date=19 October 2023}}</ref>}}
| european         = [[Party of European Socialists]] (suspended)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/european-socialists-suspent-robert-fico-smer-hlas-party/ |title=European socialists suspend Robert Fico's Smer party and its ally Hlas
 |date=12 October 2023}}</ref>
| international    = {{ubl|[[Progressive Alliance]]|[[Socialist International]]}}
| europarl         = [[Non-Inscrits]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Hanke Vela |first=Jakob |date=18 October 2023 |title=Biden heads to Israel as tensions mount over hospital blast |url=https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/biden-heads-to-israel-as-tensions-mount-over-hospital-blast/ |work=Politico |access-date=19 October 2023}}</ref>
| slogan           = "Stability, order and social security" (2023)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spravy.pravda.sk/fotogaleria/78998-billboardy-pred-volbami-2023/#7|title=Fiasko, zavádzanie aj nevyužitá šanca. Ako hodnotia billboardovú kampaň odborníci na marketing? |date=13 August 2023}}</ref>
| colours          = {{ublist
 | {{Color box|{{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}|border=silver}} [[Red]]
 | {{Color box|#30314D|border=silver}} [[Navy blue]]
}}
| seats1_title     = [[National Council of the Slovak Republic|National Council]]
| seats1           = {{composition bar|42|150|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
| seats2_title     = [[European Parliament]]
| seats2           = {{composition bar|2|14|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
| seats3_title     = [[Regions of Slovakia|Regional governors]]<ref name="volbysr">{{Cite web|url=https://www.volbysr.sk/oso/sk/suhrnne_vysledky.html|title=Súhrnné výsledky hlasovania - Voľby do orgánov samosprávy obcí 2022|website=www.volbysr.sk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215102610/https://www.volbysr.sk/oso/sk/suhrnne_vysledky.html|archive-date=2022-12-15}}</ref>
| seats3           = {{composition bar|1|8|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
| seats4_title     = [[Regions of Slovakia|Regional deputies]]{{efn|name=coalitions|Also with coalitions.}}{{r|volbysr}}
| seats4           = {{composition bar|50|419|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
| seats5_title     = [[Mayor|Mayors]]{{efn|name=coalitions}}{{r|volbysr}}
| seats5           = {{composition bar|516|2904|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
| seats6_title     = [[Councillor|Local councillors]]{{efn|name=coalitions}}{{r|volbysr}}
| seats6           = {{composition bar|2364|20462|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
| website          = {{URL|strana-smer.sk}}
| country          = Slovakia
| leader1_title    = Deputy Leaders
| leader1_name     = {{List collapsed|title={{nobold|''See list''}}|[[Ľuboš Blaha]]|[[Juraj Blanár]]|[[Erik Kaliňák]]|[[Ladislav Kamenický]]|[[Richard Takáč]]}}
| leader2_title    = General Secretary
| leader2_name     = [[Marián Saloň]]
}}
'''Direction – Social Democracy''' ({{lang-sk|Smer – sociálna demokracia}}), also commonly referred to as '''Smer''', is a [[Left-wing nationalism|left-wing nationalist]] [[political party in Slovakia]] led by the incumbent [[Prime Minister of Slovakia|prime minister]] [[Robert Fico]].<ref name="pmidhttps://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/892314/v-smere-vym">{{cite news |author= |year=2021 |title=V Smere vymysleli nový názov strany a nakreslili iné logo. Odlíšia sa od Pellegriniho |url=https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/892314/v-smere-vymysleli-novy-nazov-strany-a-nakreslili-ine-logo-odlisia-sa-od-pellegriniho/ |website=Aktuality.sk |volume= |issue= |pages= |doi= |pmc= |pmid=}}</ref>

Founded by Fico in 1999 as a split from the [[post-communist]] [[Party of the Democratic Left (Slovakia)|Party of the Democratic Left]], Smer initially defined itself as the [[Third Way]] party.<ref name="HN122009">{{cite web |author= |date= 6 December 2009|title=Desať najdôležitejších míľnikov v histórii strany Smer-SD od jej vzniku až dodnes |url=https://hnonline.sk/slovensko/384069-desat-najdolezitejsich-milnikov-v-historii-strany-smer-sd-od-jej-vzniku-az-dodnes |access-date= |publisher=[[Hospodárske noviny]] |language=sk}}</ref> It adopted the epithet ''Social Democracy'' after merging with several minor center-left parties in 2005.<ref name="SME122004">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Smer odsúhlasil zlúčenie a zmneu názvu |url=https://korzar.sme.sk/c/4551131/smer-odsuhlasil-zlucenie-a-zmneu-nazvu.html |access-date= |publisher=[[SME (newspaper)|SME]] |language=sk}}</ref> It dominated [[Slovak politics]] from 2006 to 2020, leading two coalition governments ([[Fico's First Cabinet|2006–2010]], [[Fico's Third Cabinet|2016–2020]]) and one single-party government ([[Fico's Second Cabinet|2012–2016]]). During its 12 years in charge it continued the European integration of Slovakia, lifted some [[Economic liberalism|economic-liberal]] reforms of the previous [[Centre-right politics|center-right]] governments and introduced various [[Welfare|social welfare]] measures.<ref name="Denník N022020">{{cite web |author= |date= 9 February 2020|title=Voľby 2006 – 2016: Ako Fico získal najväčšiu moc a dokázal vždy zlikvidovať partnerov |url=https://dennikn.sk/1747146/volby-2006-16-ako-fico-ziskal-najvacsiu-moc-a-co-tu-po-jeho-ere-zostalo/ |access-date= |publisher=[[Denník N]] |language=sk}}</ref> Smer-led governments have been associated with numerous [[political corruption]] scandals, and have been accused by opponents to have resulted in a deterioration of the [[rule of law]] in Slovakia.<ref name="The Times092022">{{cite news |author= |date= |title='Gangster prime minister' eyes up return to power in Slovakia |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gangster-prime-minister-eyes-up-return-slovakia-wzpx622ld |access-date= |work=[[The Times]]|last1= Prague|first1= Tim Gosling}}</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera092019">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Slovakia tries to shake off mafia influence |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/9/13/slovakia-tries-to-shake-off-mafia-influence |access-date= |publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref><ref name="ČT042022">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Slovenská policie obvinila expremiéra Fica ze založení zločinecké skupiny |url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/svet/3475536-slovenska-policie-obvinila-expremiera-fica-ze-zalozeni-zlocinecke-skupiny |access-date= |publisher=[[Czech Television]] |language=cs}}</ref><ref name="VSquare082020">{{cite web |author= |date= 31 August 2020|title=The life of Ján Kuciak and a brief history of Slovakia |url=https://vsquare.org/the-life-of-jan-kuciak-and-a-brief-history-of-slovakia/ |access-date= |publisher=VSquare}}</ref><ref name="BI082019">{{cite web |author= |date= |title='Mafia State' Slovakia struggles to root out corruption |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2019/08/28/mafia-state-slovakia-struggles-to-root-out-corruption/ |access-date= |publisher=[[Balkan Insight]]}}</ref>

Since the [[2020 Slovak parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary election]] – Smer's return to the opposition, Slovak authorities have been investigating a number of corruption-related crimes involving multiple Smer politicians and individuals reportedly linked to the party, with a total of 42 of them being convicted.<ref name=Mudde>{{cite book |author=Cas Mudde |author-link=Cas Mudde |title= Racist Extremism in Central & Eastern Europe |year=2005 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn= 0-415-35593-1 |pages=xvi, 314 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YB-ZwiBf5HgC&q=sns+extremist+party&pg=PA245|access-date=2009-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://dennikn.sk/3532879/odsudili-uz-viac-ako-40-zlocincov-z-ery-smeru-nie-su-len-spolupracujuci-obvineni-nedostali-iba-podmienky/ |title=Odsúdili už viac ako 40 zločincov z éry Smeru. Nie sú len spolupracujúci obvinení, nedostali iba podmienky |date=28 August 2023}}</ref><ref name="EURACTIV042022">{{cite web |author= |date= 21 April 2022|title=Slovak police arrest former interior minister, charges former PM Fico |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/slovak-police-arrest-former-interior-minister-charges-former-pm-fico/ |access-date= |publisher=[[Euractiv]]}}</ref><ref name="AP042022">{{cite web |author= |date= 20 April 2022|title=Slovakia's former prime minister faces criminal charges |url=https://apnews.com/article/business-europe-slovakia-bratislava-robert-fico-1adee5b0ce3462b5e70c85337080324d |access-date= |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref name="Politico042022">{{cite web |author= |date= 20 April 2022|title=Former Slovak PM, allies charged with organized crime |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/former-slovak-pm-allies-charged-with-organized-crime/ |access-date= |work=[[Politico]]}}</ref> At the party congress in July 2020, following a major internal split (which resulted in the founding of the [[Voice – Social Democracy|Hlas]] party), Fico announced a shift to "the rustic social democracy that perceives the specifics of Slovak reality".<ref name="Denník N072020">{{cite web |author= |date= 18 July 2020|title=Fico zostáva predsedom, Smer chce mať rustikálny. Sekundovať mu bude mladý Kaliňák, Blaha či rapujúci poslanec Takáč |url=https://dennikn.sk/1972879/fico-zostava-predsedom-smer-chce-mat-rustikalny-sekundovat-mu-bude-mlady-kalinak-blaha-ci-rapujuci-poslanec-takac/ |access-date= |publisher=[[Denník N]] |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="Postoj072020">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Na čele strany zostáva Robert Fico, podpredsedami sa stal Blaha i Kaliňák |url=https://www.postoj.sk/58377/smer-potvrdil-roberta-fica-na-cele-strany?page=4160 |access-date= |publisher=Postoj |language=sk}}</ref> Post-2020 Smer holds stances that have been described as [[nationalist]], [[populist]] and [[Russophilic]].<ref name="ČT052023">{{cite web |author= |date= 5 May 2023|title=Odklon od Evropské unie a NATO směrem k Rusku. Fico cílí na extremistické voliče, říkají experti |url=https://www.irozhlas.cz/zpravy-svet/robert-fico-smer-slovensko-volby-peter-pellegrini_2305051209_bko |access-date= |publisher=[[Czech Radio]] |language=cs}}</ref><ref name="VI062023">{{cite web |author= |date= 6 June 2023|title=Populist Strongman Fico Usurps the Narrative in Slovakia |url=https://visegradinsight.eu/populist-strongman-fico-usurps-the-narrative-in-slovakia/ |access-date= |publisher=Visegrad Insight}}</ref><ref name="BI052023">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Slovakia to get 'expert' government but return to populism looms |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2023/05/11/slovakia-to-get-expert-government-but-return-to-populism-looms/ |access-date= |publisher=[[Balkan Insight]]}}</ref><ref name="Bloomberg062022">{{cite news |author= |date= 10 June 2022|title=Slovak Populist Fico Seeks Return to Power With Referendum Push |newspaper= Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-10/slovak-populist-fico-seeks-return-to-office-with-referendum-push#xj4y7vzkg |access-date= |publisher=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref><ref name="Coda012023">{{cite web |author= |date= 30 January 2023|title=A hard line Slovak nationalist plots his return to power |url=https://www.codastory.com/disinformation/slovakia-elections-fico/ |access-date= |publisher=[[Coda Media]]}}</ref><ref name="AC122022">{{cite web |author= |date= 23 December 2022|title=Slovakia risks becoming another Hungary-style EU spoiler. How should the West respond? |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/slovakia-risks-becoming-another-hungary-style-eu-spoiler-how-should-the-west-respond/ |access-date= |publisher=[[Atlantic Council]]}}</ref><ref name="ČT062023">{{cite web |author= |date= 18 June 2023|title=Proč Robert Fico nepůjde úplně ve stopách Vladimíra Mečiara |url=https://www.irozhlas.cz/komentare/proc-fico-nepujde-ve-stopach-meciara-komentar-pesekova_2306181630_kac |access-date= |publisher=[[Czech Radio]] |language=cs}}</ref>

In [[2023 Slovak parliamentary election|2023]], Smer won the parliamentary election with 23% of the vote and 42 seats in the [[National Council (Slovakia)|National Council]] and subsequently formed the [[Fico's Fourth Cabinet|Fourth cabinet of Robert Fico]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lopatka |first1=Jan |title=Slovakia's poll winner defies European consensus on Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovak-party-ps-says-it-will-still-try-form-coalition-after-fico-win-2023-10-01/ |website=Reuters|date=2 October 2023}}</ref>

== History ==
=== Foundation and early years (1999–2006) ===
Originally named '''Direction''' ({{lang-sk|Smer}}), the party was founded on 8 November 1999, emerging as a breakaway from the [[post-Communist]] [[Party of the Democratic Left (Slovakia)|Party of the Democratic Left]] (SDĽ), the successor of the original [[Communist Party of Slovakia (1939)|Communist Party of Slovakia]] and the governing party from 1998 to 2002. Under [[Robert Fico]], at the time one of the most popular politicians in the country, it quickly became one of the most popular parties in Slovakia, while the SDĽ experienced a constant decrease within popularity. In the [[2002 Slovak parliamentary election]], its first formal election period, it became the third-largest party in the [[National Council of the Slovak Republic]], with 25 of 150 seats. In 2003, it changed its formal name to '''Direction (Third Way)''' ({{lang-sk|Smer (tretia cesta)}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://portal.ives.sk/registre/detailUplnyPS.do?action=uplny&formular=nazov&id=153097|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715020843/http://portal.ives.sk/registre/detailUplnyPS.do?action=uplny&formular=nazov&id=153097|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 July 2012|title=Register of Political Parties and Political Movements|access-date=3 July 2015}}</ref> and [[Party of Civic Understanding]] merged into the party.

In 2005, the party absorbed the SDĽ and the [[Social Democratic Alternative]], a small social democratic party that split from the original SDĽ somewhat later than Direction did, in addition to the [[Social Democratic Party of Slovakia]]. Founded in 1990, the party became known for the leadership of [[Alexander Dubček]], and Direction adopted the epithet Social Democracy. Following the party's victory in 2006, Smer entered into a coalition with the nationalist [[Slovak National Party]] (SNS) and was readmitted into the [[Party of European Socialists]] (PES) in 2008. It later formed another coalition with the SNS in 2016.

=== Government (2006–2010) ===
{{see also|Fico's First Cabinet}}
In the [[2006 Slovak parliamentary election]], the party won 29.1% of the popular vote and 50 of 150 seats. Following that election, Smer formed a [[coalition government]] with the [[People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia]] (HZDS) and the SNS,<ref>[http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw99-2000/slovakia.htm "The Study of Contemporary Racism and Antisemitism", The Steven Roth Institute, Tel Aviv University. Tau.ac.il.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531035616/http://www.tau.ac.il/Anti-Semitism/asw99-2000/slovakia.htm |date=31 May 2013}} Retrieved on 15 October 2011.</ref> an extremist nationalist party.<ref name=Barany>{{cite book |title= The East European gypsies: regime change, marginality, and ethnopolitics|last=Zoltan D. Barany |year=2002 |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |isbn= 0-521-00910-3 |pages=313, 408 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yTylND961ZMC&q=sns+extremist+party&pg=PA313|access-date=2009-05-22}}</ref><ref name=Mudde>{{cite book |author=Cas Mudde |author-link=Cas Mudde |title= Racist Extremism in Central & Eastern Europe |year=2005 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn= 0-415-35593-1 |pages=xvi, 314 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YB-ZwiBf5HgC&q=sns+extremist+party&pg=PA245|access-date=2009-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Juliana Sokolova |title=Slovakia: in search of normal |url=http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/slovakia-in-search-of-normal-0 |publisher=[[openDemocracy.net]] |date=2 April 2009 |access-date=22 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830151059/http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/slovakia-in-search-of-normal-0 |archive-date=30 August 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 12 October 2006, the party was temporarily suspended from membership in the PES.<ref>[http://www.pes.org/en/news/smer-suspended-pes-political-family SMER suspended from PES political family] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106205652/http://www.pes.org/en/news/smer-suspended-pes-political-family |date=6 January 2011}}, [[Party of European Socialists]], 12 October 2006</ref> The resolution to suspend the party referred specifically to the PES Declaration "For a modern, pluralist and tolerant Europe", adopted in Berlin by the PES congress in 2001, which states that "all PES parties adhere to the following principles ... [and] to refrain from any form of political alliance or co-operation at all levels with any political party which incites or attempts to stir up racial or ethnic prejudices and racial hatred." In ''[[The Slovak Spectator]]'', the PES chairman [[Poul Nyrup Rasmussen]] commented: "Most of our members stood solidly behind our values, according to which forming a coalition with the extreme right is unacceptable."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spectator.sme.sk/articles/view/24867/2/|title=Euro-socialists suspend Fico's Smer party|author=Petit Press a.s.|work=spectator.sme.sk|date=16 October 2006|access-date=3 July 2015}}</ref> The party was readmitted on 14 February 2008 after its chairman Fico and SNS leader [[Jan Slota]] pledged in a letter to respect European values, human rights, and all ethnic minorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/slovakia-hungary.1tz|title=Slovak PM's party rejoins European socialists|access-date=3 July 2015|archive-date=13 December 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213064837/http://www.eubusiness.com/news-eu/slovakia-hungary.1tz|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Opposition (2010–2012) ===
[[File:SMER – socialna demokracia Logo.svg|thumb|200px|Party logo, 2005–2019]]
Although the party won the most votes in the [[2010 Slovak parliamentary election]], with a lead of 20% over the second-place [[Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party]] (SDKÚ),<ref>[http://volbysr.sk/nrsr2010/sr/tab3_sk.html Voľby do Národnej rady Slovenskej republiky] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616141421/http://www.volbysr.sk/nrsr2010/sr/tab3_sk.html |date=16 June 2010}}. Volbysr.sk. Retrieved on 15 October 2011.</ref> they had not been able to form a government because of losses sustained by their coalition partners. Their result, 34.8%, gave them 62 of 150 seats in the National Council, but the HZDS failed to cross the 5% threshold, losing all their seats, and the SNS was reduced to nine seats. The four opposition centre-right parties (the [[Christian Democratic Movement]], [[Freedom and Solidarity]], [[Most–Híd|Bridge]], and SDKÚ) were able to form a new government.<ref>[http://volby.sme.sk/c/5420612/fico-vyhral-a-predsa-konci.html Fico vyhral a predsa končí | Voľby 2010]. volby.sme.sk. Retrieved on 15 October 2011.</ref>

=== Government (2012–2020) ===
[[File:SMER-SD logo 2020.png|thumb|200px|Party logo, 2019–2021]]
In the [[2012 Slovak parliamentary election]], Smer won 44.4% of the votes and became the largest party in the National Council, with an absolute majority of 83 seats (out of 150).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20042759/election-2012-uvk-officially-confirms-smers-landslide-victory-in-general-election.html|title=ELECTION 2012: UVK officially confirms Smer's landslide victory in general election|first=Petit Press|last=a.s|date=11 March 2012|website=spectator.sme.sk}}</ref> [[Fico's Second Cabinet]] was the first single-party government in Slovakia since 1993. In the [[2014 European Parliament election in Slovakia]], Smer came in first place nationally, receiving 24.09% of the vote and electing four [[Members of the European Parliament]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ep2014.statistics.sk/EP-dv/Tabulka3_en.html |title=Elections to the European Parliament 2014 |access-date=2017-05-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528053354/http://ep2014.statistics.sk/EP-dv/Tabulka3_en.html |archive-date=28 May 2014}}</ref>

Despite suffering a significant loss in support as a result of strikes by teachers and nurses earlier in the year,<ref name="politico">{{cite web|last1=Cunningham|first1=Benjamin|title=5 takeaways from Slovakia's election|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-fico-asylum-migrants-elections-nazi-nationalists/|website=Politico.eu|date=6 March 2016|publisher=Politico|access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref> Smer won the [[2016 Slovak parliamentary election|5 March 2016 parliamentary election]] with 28.3% of the vote and 49 of 150 seats, and subsequently formed [[Fico's Third Cabinet]] in a coalition government with Bridge, [[Network (Slovak party)|Network]], and the [[Slovak National Party]]. Prime Minister Fico resigned in the wake of the political crisis following the murder of Ján Kuciak and was replaced by [[Peter Pellegrini]], with the same majority. However, Fico remained leader of Smer.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

=== Opposition (2020–2023) ===
{{unreferenced section|date=October 2021}}
The party managed to score 18.29% in the [[2020 Slovak parliamentary election]], which was 2 to 3 percent more than the latest polls showed, but it was still a decrease of 10% compared to previous elections. The party occupied 38 seats in parliament. Pellegrini, the chairman of the Fico parliamentary group, became the vice-chairman of the National Council for the Opposition on the basis of post-election negotiations.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} In May 2020, two deputies for Smer ([[Ján Podmanický]] and [[Marián Kéry]]) founded a value policy platform with deputies from KDŽP, elected as a candidate of the [[Kotlebists – People's Party Our Slovakia]]. Because of this, Pellegrini sharply criticized them, while Fico defended Podmanický. In May 2020, Podmanický also left the Smer parliamentary group after criticism from his own ranks.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

As early as April 2020, party vice-chairman Pellegrini announced his ambition to run for party chairman as Smer's most popular politician, winning 170,000 more votes than the chairman. Fico reacted strongly, saying that he did not intend to resign and wanted to remain at the head of the party, while Pellegrini gradually began to tighten his criticism of Fico and the party's situation. Pellegrini criticized the fact that the party's presidency had not met since the election and the date of the parliament was unknown. Pellegrini demanded that the assembly be held as soon as possible, while Fico insisted that the nomination assembly take place only at a ceremonial assembly in December 2020.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

At a June 2020 press conference in Banská Bystrica, Pellegrini announced that he would resign as Vice-Chairman of Smer and leave the party in the near future. He also outlined the establishment of a new party, [[Voice – Social Democracy]] (Hlas), which he said should be social democratic, but refuse to be liberal. Around that time, Fico had already offered Pellegrini the position of party chairman, provided that he maintained his influence in the party, an offer which was rejected by Pellegrini. In the first FOCUS survey, 21.4% of respondents said they would vote for the new Pellegrini party, while those saying they would vote for the original Smer remained at 9.6%. At a press conference one week following the announcement of Pellegrini's departure, another 10 deputies announced they would leave the party, including Vice-Presidents [[Peter Žiga]] and [[Richard Raši]], Bureau member [[Denisa Saková]] and long-standing deputies and party members. At the same time, together with Pellegrini, they announced the creation of a new social-democratic party at the press conference, which they would join. Political scientist Grigory Mesezhnikov postulated that after the departure of the Pellegrini group, the Smer could move further to the left into the spectrum of the radical to communist left.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}}

=== Government (2023–present) ===

As Smer won the [[2023 Slovak parliamentary election|parliamentary election held on 30 September 2023]] with 23% of the vote and 42 seats in the [[National Council (Slovakia)|National Council]], [[Robert Fico]], the party's leader was given a mandate to form a government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Slovakia's president asks a populist ex-premier to form government after winning early election |url=https://apnews.com/article/slovakia-election-caputova-fico-4d2e45c454d4a4a86f47996dd0d5ede0 |website=[[Associated Press]] |date=2 October 2023 |access-date=5 October 2023}}</ref> The [[Fico's Fourth Cabinet|Fourth cabinet of Robert Fico]] comprising Smer, [[Voice – Social Democracy]] (Hlas) and the [[Slovak National Party]] (SNS) sworn in on 25 October 2023.

==== Foreign policy ====
Fico has promised to cut all aid to [[Ukraine]] as a result of the [[Russian Invasion of Ukraine]], and has promised to block Ukrainian accession to [[NATO]] should the subject be broached under his tenure. Fico has also stated that the Ukrainian government is run by neo-Nazis.<ref name="2023 elected">{{cite web |title=Pro-Russia ex-PM leads leftist party to win in Slovakia's parliamentary elections |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/01/1202879797/pro-russia-ex-premier-leads-party-to-win-slovakia-parliamentary-elections |access-date=5 October 2023 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref>

==== Legal reforms ====
[[File:Kalinak, Fico, Reynders and Susko in November 2023.jpg|thumb|220x220px|Meeting of the Slovak delegation with the European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders, 27 November 2023]]
In December 2023, the [[Fico's Fourth Cabinet|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 of Slovakia|President]] [[Zuzana Čaputová]], the [[European Commission]] and [[Non-governmental organization|non-governmental organizations]], resulting in a weeks-long opposition parliamentary obstruction and a series of demonstrations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/14/eu-told-slovakia-that-its-reforms-risked-irreparable-damage-to-rule-of-law |title=EU told Slovakia that its reforms risked 'irreparable damage' to rule of law |newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 February 2024 |last1=Henley |first1=Jon}}</ref>

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. Additionally, their cases are 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 (Slovakia)|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.'<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/698070-vlada-zverejnila-140-stranovu-brozuru-ako-mali-byt-v-rokoch-2020-2023-porusovane-ludske-prava-pozrite-si-cely-material/ |title=Vl谩da zverejnila 140-stranov煤 bro啪煤ru, ako mali by钮 poru拧ovan茅 木udsk茅 pr谩va v rokoch 2020/23. Pozrite si cel媒 materi谩l |date=February 2024}}</ref>

The amendment was finally approved by the [[National Council (Slovakia)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/698828-schvalenie-trestneho-balika-je-na-spadnutie-poslanci-budu-zrejme-hlasovat-skor-gaspar-svoj-navrh-opravil/ |title=Novela Trestného zákona je schválená. Prezidentka sa pokúsi zabrániť jej účinnosti (Online) |date=8 February 2024}}</ref>

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 of Slovakia|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://domov.sme.sk/c/23283435/prezidentka-caputova-trestny-zakon-oznamenie.html |title=Prezidentka podpísala Trestný zákon, hoci ho kritizuje. Vytvára čas pre Ústavný súd}}</ref>

== Ideology and policies ==

=== Economic policy ===
{{Expand section|date=July 2023}}
Smer advocates economically left-wing policies.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

=== Foreign policy ===
Smer holds [[Russophilia|Russophilic]] and [[Euroscepticism|Eurosceptic]] stances on foreign policy; however, it claims to support Slovakia's membership in the [[European Union]] and [[NATO]]. The party expresses strong [[Anti-Western sentiment|anti-Western]], especially [[Anti-Americanism|anti-American sentiment]], often spreading [[Propaganda in Russia|Russian propaganda]] narratives.<ref name="Reuters0320232">{{cite news |author= |date= 10 March 2023|title=Fico's pro-Russian party takes poll lead ahead of Slovakia's Sept vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ficos-pro-russian-party-takes-poll-lead-ahead-slovakias-sept-vote-2023-03-10/ |accessdate= |work=[[Reuters]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="ČT0220232">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Fico se na Slovensku může vrátit k moci, využívá k tomu slovník ruské propagandy |url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/svet/3568037-168-hodin-fico-se-na-slovensku-dere-zpatky-k-moci-vyuziva-k-tomu-slovnik-ruske |accessdate= |publisher=[[Czech Television]] |language=cs}}</ref><ref name="Seznam0420232">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Slovensko se znovu přiklání k sebevědomému bumerangu jménem Fico |url=https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/zahranicni-stredni-evropa-slovensko-se-znovu-priklani-k-sebevedomemu-bumerangu-jmenem-fico-229624 |accessdate= |publisher=[[Seznam.cz]] |language=cs}}</ref>

Regarding the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]], Smer calls for an end to [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian War|military aid to Ukraine]] as well as to [[Sanctions involving Russia|sanctions against Russia]]. It interprets the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] as a [[proxy war]] between the [[United States|US]] and [[Russia]], with the latter "dealing with threats to its national interests". The party declares that the conflict was provoked in 2014 by "the extermination of citizens of Russian nationality by Ukrainian fascists".<ref name="Denník N0220233">{{cite web |author= |date= 25 April 2023|title=Fico pred veľvyslancami podporil vstup Ukrajiny do EÚ, verejnosti to najskôr nepovedal |url=https://dennikn.sk/3341998/fico-pred-velvyslancami-podporil-vstup-ukrajiny-do-eu-a-verejnosti-to-zatajil/?ref=list |accessdate= |publisher=[[Denník N]] |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="Trend0220232">{{cite web |author= |date= 24 February 2023|title=Riešením rusko-ukrajinského konfliktu sú mierové rokovania, tvrdí Smer-SD |url=https://www.trend.sk/spravy/riesenim-rusko-ukrajinskeho-konfliktu-su-mierove-rokovania-tvrdi-smer-sd |accessdate= |publisher=Trend |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="Denník N02202322">{{cite web |author= |date= 8 February 2023|title=Fico na tlačovej konferencii znovu klamal a šíril prokremeľskú propagandu |url=https://dennikn.sk/minuta/3229997/ |accessdate= |publisher=[[Denník N]] |language=sk}}</ref>

In its foreign policy manifesto, Smer calls for understanding with countries "with a form of government other than [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary democracy]]", referring to [[China]] and [[Vietnam]].<ref name="Smer0420232">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Návrat suverenity do slovenskej zahraničnej politiky |url=https://www.strana-smer.sk/storage/app/media/uploaded-files/strategia-zahranicnej-politiky-smer-ssd.pdf |accessdate= |publisher=www.strana-smer.sk |language=sk}}</ref> During his premiership, party's leader [[Robert Fico]] praised the political systems of both countries, describing the Slovak one as clumsy and uncompetitive in comparison.<ref name="HN1220172">{{cite web |author= |date= 15 December 2017|title=Opozíciu nepotrebujeme, povedali mi v Ázii. Pozrite sa, ako Fico velebil Čínu |url=https://hnonline.sk/politika/1165683-opoziciu-nepotrebujeme-povedali-mi-v-azii-pozrite-sa-ako-fico-velebil-cinu |accessdate= |publisher=[[Hospodárske noviny]] |language=sk}}</ref> In 2007, Fico made an official state visit to the then leader of Libya, [[Muammar Gaddafi]], "discussing the fight against world imperialism" (citing Fico).<ref name="SME0220072">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Fico sa bavil s Kaddáfím o boji proti imperializmu |url=https://www.sme.sk/c/3163664/fico-sa-bavil-s-kaddafim-o-boji-proti-imperializmu.html |accessdate= |publisher=[[SME (newspaper)|SME]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== Social policy ===
The party holds strongly [[Social conservatism|conservative]] views on [[Social issue|social issues]] with a record of [[Anti-LGBT rhetoric|anti-LGBT]],<ref name="LaBruyère201011">{{cite web |author= |date= 11 May 2021|title=Fico hovorí o LGBTI ľuďoch čoraz vulgárnejšie, jeho štátna tajomníčka pritom podporila Pride |url=https://dennikn.sk/2385528/fico-hovori-o-lgbti-ludoch-coraz-vulgarnejsie-jeho-statna-tajomnicka-pritom-podporila-pride/ |accessdate= |publisher=[[Denník N]] |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="LaBruyère201022">{{cite web |author= |date= 16 May 2022|title=Kto získa anti-cenu Homofób roka? Výrokmi sa "blysli" Fico, Matovič a v päťke nominovaných je aj Haľko |url=https://sita.sk/kto-ziska-anti-cenu-homofob-roka-vyrokmi-sa-blysli-fico-matovic-a-nominovany-je-aj-halko/ |accessdate= |publisher=SITA |language=sk}}</ref> [[Anti-Romani sentiment|anti-Romani]],<ref name="LaBruyère201032">{{cite web |author= |date= 22 April 2022|title=Fico útočí na vládu cez Rómov. Podľa splnomocnenca tak chce prekryť svoje vlastné problémy |url=https://dennikn.sk/2818577/fico-utoci-na-vladu-cez-romov-podla-splnomocnenca-tak-chce-prekryt-svoje-vlastne-problemy/ |accessdate= |publisher=[[Denník N]] |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="LaBruyère201042">{{cite web |author= |date= 6 May 2020|title=Fico sa vracia do politickej minulosti. Na Rómov útočí slovníkom extrémistov |url=https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/788225/fico-sa-vracia-do-politickej-minulosti-na-romov-utoci-slovnikom-extremistov/ |accessdate= |publisher=[[Aktuality.sk]] |language=sk}}</ref> [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]],<ref name="LaBruyère201052">{{cite web |author= |date= 12 January 2016|title=Výroky Roberta Fica o moslimskej komunite rieši Generálna prokuratúra |url=https://www.teraz.sk/slovensko/fico-moslimovia-trestne-oznamenie/175879-clanok.html |accessdate= |publisher=[[TASR]] |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="LaBruyère201062">{{cite web |author= |date= 30 May 2016|title=Islam na Slovensku nechceme. Slová Roberta Fica obleteli svet |url=https://strategie.hnonline.sk/news/media/783159-islam-na-slovensku-nechceme-slova-roberta-fica-obleteli-svet |accessdate= |publisher=[[Hospodárske noviny]] |language=sk}}</ref> [[Opposition to immigration|anti-immigration]] and [[Sexism|sexist]] statements. It proclaims its strong [[opposition to liberalism]] and [[progressivism]], advocating traditional [[family values]] and running for the patriotic electorate.<ref name="LaBruyère201092">{{cite web |author= |date= 15 May 2023|title=Dve tváre Smeru: na Slovensku dali "po papuli" liberálom, v Bruseli schválili, proti čomu doma bojovali |url=https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/kTPWT6n/dve-tvare-smeru-na-slovensku-dali-po-papuli-liberalom-v-bruseli-schvalili-proti-comu-doma-bojovali/ |accessdate= |publisher=[[Aktuality.sk]] |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="LaBruyère2010102">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=PRIZNAJME SI PRAVDU - MUSÍME SA POSTAVIŤ LIBERALIZMU |url=https://www.strana-smer.sk/aktuality/blogy/post/priznajme-si-pravdu-musime-sa-postavit-liberalizmu |accessdate= |publisher=www.strana-smer.sk |language=sk}}</ref> Party's leading politicians spread [[Disinformation|disinformations]] and [[Conspiracy theory|conspiracy theories]], including [[Antisemitism|antisemitic]] [[George Soros conspiracy theories]].<ref name="LaBruyère201072">{{cite web |author= |date= 6 March 2019|title=Blaha si vypomáha antisemitizmom |url=https://dennikn.sk/1401742/blaha-si-vypomaha-antisemitizmom/ |accessdate= |publisher=[[Denník N]] |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="LaBruyère201082">{{cite web |author= |date= 15 November 2022|title=Strašenie Sorosom je jasný antisemitizmus. Po vraždách sme sprísnili opatrenia, tvrdí šéf židovskej obce |url=https://hnonline.sk/slovensko/96051540-strasenie-sorosom-je-jasny-antisemitizmus-po-vrazdach-sme-sprisnili-opatrenia-tvrdi-sef-zidovskej-obce |accessdate= |publisher=[[Hospodárske noviny]] |language=sk}}</ref>

Regarding [[LGBT rights in Slovakia|LGBT rights]], it calls for a constitutional ban on [[Same-sex civil union|same-sex civil unions]], [[Same-sex marriage|marriages]] as well as [[Same-sex adoption|adoptions]]. It opposes the allocation of state subsidies to [[LGBT rights organization|LGBT rights organizations]].<ref name="LaBruyère201042" /> In 2022, 21 out of 27 Smer deputies in the [[National Council (Slovakia)|National Council]] voted for a bill prohibiting the display of the [[Rainbow flag|rainbow flags]] on public buildings while the remaining 6 were absent.<ref name="LaBruyère201043">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Zákaz dúhovej vlajky v štátnych budovách neprešiel. Návrh podporil Smer, z OĽaNO len Gyimesi |url=https://standard.sk/258370/zakaz-duhovej-vlajky-v-statnych-budovach-nepresiel-navrh-podporil-smer-z-olano-len-gyimesi/ |accessdate= |publisher=Štandard |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="LaBruyère201044">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Hlasovanie - grafické zobrazenie |url=https://www.nrsr.sk/web/Default.aspx?sid=schodze/hlasovanie/hlaspie&ID=48621 |accessdate= |publisher=National Council |language=sk}}</ref>

During the [[2015 European migrant crisis]], party's leader [[Robert Fico]] stated that the government monitors every single [[Muslims|Muslim]] who is on the territory of the Slovak Republic.<ref name="LaBruyère201045">{{cite web |author= |date= 16 November 2015|title=Islamská nadácia: Premiér urobil z moslimov na Slovensku hrozbu |url=https://www.teraz.sk/slovensko/islamska-nadacia-premier-moslimovia/166450-clanok.html?mostViewedArticlesInSectionTab=1 |accessdate= |publisher=TASR |language=sk}}</ref> In 2016, Fico declared that [[Islam]] has no place in Slovakia. He challenged [[multiculturalism]] and called for the preservation of the country's traditions and identity.<ref name="LaBruyère201046">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Islam nemá podľa Fica na Slovensku priestor |url=https://domov.sme.sk/c/20173191/islam-na-slovensku-nema-priestor-vyhlasil-fico.html |accessdate= |publisher=SME |language=sk}}</ref> In 2021, Fico called on [[Political science|political scientist]] Jozef Lenč of the Muslim faith, commenting on Smer, not to work as a political scientist in a [[Christianity in Slovakia|Christian country]].<ref name="LaBruyère201047">{{cite web |author= |date= 13 August 2021|title=Robert Fico (Smer-SD) sa pustil do politológa Jozefa Lenča. Ste xenofóbny fašista, odkázal mu odborník |url=https://plus.noviny.sk/626464-robert-fico-smer-sd-sa-pustil-do-politologa-jozefa-lenca-ste-xenofobny-fasista-odkazal-mu-odbornik |accessdate= |publisher=TV JOJ |language=sk}}</ref>

In 2019, Fico expressed his sympathy for the Member of the National Council of the [[Neo-Nazism|neo-Nazi]] [[People's Party Our Slovakia]] [[Milan Mazurek]], who was convicted of the intentional crime of defaming a nation, race or belief.<ref name="LaBruyère201048">{{cite web |author= |date= 5 September 2019|title=Fico obhajuje extrémistu Mazureka, SNS a Most ho za to kritizujú |url=https://dennikn.sk/1575000/fico-obhajuje-extremistu-mazureka-ak-popravite-niekoho-za-pravdu-urobite-z-neho-narodneho-hrdinu/ |accessdate= |publisher=Denník N |language=sk}}</ref> In 2022, Smer criticized the proposal for a comprehensive compensatory social benefit for people in need, interpreting it as buying Roma votes before [[2022 Slovak local elections|local]] and [[2022 Slovak regional elections|regional elections]].<ref name="LaBruyère201049">{{cite web |author= |date= 22 April 2022|title=Fico útočí na vládu cez Rómov. Podľa splnomocnenca tak chce prekryť svoje vlastné problémy |url=https://dennikn.sk/2818577/fico-utoci-na-vladu-cez-romov-podla-splnomocnenca-tak-chce-prekryt-svoje-vlastne-problemy/ |accessdate= |publisher=Denník N |language=sk}}</ref> Fico's rhetoric towards the Romani people in Slovakia is considered hostile, stating that the Romani people in Slovakia drain the social system.<ref name="LaBruyère2010410">{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Fico mal pri výrokoch o Rómoch blízko k Mazurekovi už v minulosti |url=https://domov.sme.sk/c/22206601/robert-fico-sa-k-romom-vracia-pravidelne.html |accessdate= |publisher=SME |language=sk}}</ref><ref name="LaBruyère2010411">{{cite web |author= |date= 6 May 2020|title=Fico sa vracia do politickej minulosti. Na Rómov útočí slovníkom extrémistov |url=https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/788225/fico-sa-vracia-do-politickej-minulosti-na-romov-utoci-slovnikom-extremistov/ |accessdate= |publisher=Aktuality.sk |language=sk}}</ref>

In 2023, Fico called for the approval of a law concerning [[Non-governmental organization|NGOs]], according to which non-governmental organizations with foreign funding should be labeled as [[Foreign agent|foreign agents]].<ref name="LaBruyère2010412">{{cite web |author= |date= 6 June 2023|title=Robert Fico chce rovnaký zákon proti mimovládkam, aký pred desiatimi rokmi schválilo Putinovo Rusko |url=https://dennikn.sk/minuta/3411976?ref=inc |accessdate= |publisher=Denník N |language=sk}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the party [[Vaccine hesitancy|opposed vaccinations]] and restrictive measures.<ref name="LaBruyère2010414">{{cite web |author= |date= 11 September 2021|title=Fico hlasem odpůrců očkování. Prachsprostý byznys, vytvoří závislost, hlásá |url=https://www.idnes.cz/zpravy/zahranicni/slovensko-robert-fico-smer-ockovani-covid-19-pfizer.A210911_092600_zahranicni_ajez |accessdate= |publisher=idnes.cz |language=cs}}</ref><ref name="LaBruyère2010415">{{cite web |author= |date= 6 December 2022|title=Zúrila pandémia a Fico štval davy bez rúšok proti vláde. Hygienici dali Smeru niekoľkotisícovú pokutu |url=https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/QeAT98l/zurila-pandemia-a-fico-stval-davy-bez-rusok-proti-vlade-hygienici-dali-smeru-niekolkotisicovu-pokutu/ |accessdate= |publisher=aktuality.sk |language=sk}}</ref>

It opposed the ratification of the [[Istanbul Convention]] in Slovakia.<ref name="LaBruyère2010413">{{cite web |author= |date= 25 February 2018|title=Pred štyrmi rokmi sa Fico prijatím Istanbulského dohovoru chválil, teraz ho odmieta a hádže na Radičovú |url=https://dennikn.sk/1040340/pred-styrmi-rokmi-sa-fico-prijatim-istanbulskeho-dohovoru-chvalil-teraz-ho-odmieta-a-hadze-na-radicovu/ |accessdate= |publisher=Denník N |language=sk}}</ref>

=== Communist nostalgia ===
Following a major internal split in June 2020 (which resulted in the founding of the [[Voice – Social Democracy|Hlas]] party), the party began to radicalize its rhetoric, including expressing [[Communist nostalgia|nostalgia for the prior communist state]].

The party politicians utilize slogans reminiscent of the communist era, such as "Loiterers from cafes, to fields and factories"{{Ref|https://www.facebook.com/robertficosk/videos/1315460512737174}} and the greeting "Greetings, comrades! Honor work!"{{Ref|1=https://dennikn.sk/3858507/fico-zavolal-na-mdz-do-kosic-aj-glucka-ktory-sa-preslavil-recami-o-znasilneni-z-obrazovky-zdravil-pellegrini/?ref=tit}}

In January 2024, [[Prime Minister of Slovakia|Prime Minister]] and party chairman [[Robert Fico]] and Deputy Speaker of the [[National Council of Slovakia|National Council]] and party vice-chairman [[Ľuboš Blaha]] visited the grave of Gustav Husák, the last communist [[List of presidents of Czechoslovakia|president of the Czechoslovakia]], to pay their respects. Husák, a highly controversial figure, was one of the leading figures of the [[Slovak National Uprising]] during the [[World War II|Second World War]], imprisoned as a [[Bourgeois nationalism|bourgeois nationalist]] in the 1950s to emerge as a key figure in the [[Normalization (Czechoslovakia)|normalization process in Czechoslovakia]] – a return to strict [[Communist Party of Czechoslovakia|Communist Party]] control and the suppression of [[Prague Spring|political liberalization]] following the [[Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia|Warsaw Pact invasion in 1968]].{{Ref|https://www.ta3.com/clanok/919353/fico-blaha-aj-danko-sa-klanali-nad-hrobom-husaka-post-bellum-nesetri-kritikou-a-nesuhlasi-s-manipulaciou-historie}}

In November 2023, Blaha replaced a portrait of [[President of Slovakia|President]] [[Zuzana Čaputová]] in his parliamentary office with a portrait of Argentine Marxist revolutionary [[Che Guevara]], hanging [[Flag of Europe|the Flag of Europe]].{{Ref|https://domov.sme.sk/c/23239447/blaha-zvesil-portret-prezidentky-odstranil-vlajku-europskej-unie-kdh-ho-chce-odvolat.html}}

In his speech at the Smer-organized commemoration of the anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising in August 2023, Blaha addressed the crowd as "[[Comrade|comrades]]" and stated, "The basic historical truth is that war and [[fascism]] have always come from the West and freedom and peace from the East."{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/3541939/na-oslavach-snp-ktore-zorganizoval-smer-vitali-aj-suju-z-republiky-publikum-rozhnevala-ukrajinska-vlajka/}}

In December 2019, Blaha shared a photograph on Facebook depicting himself alongside Fico, with the former holding a [[red star]] bearing a [[hammer and sickle]] motif. The star was a birthday gift presented to Blaha by Fico.{{Ref|https://hnonline.sk/slovensko/2192785-naka-zastavila-trestne-stihanie-pre-blahov-status-s-cervenou-hviezdou}}

=== Alt-right ties ===
The party leading politicians, including [[Prime Minister of Slovakia|Prime Minister]] and party chair [[Robert Fico]], frequently make appearances on various media outlets known for disseminating [[disinformation]], aligning with [[alt-right]] ideologies, and promoting [[Propaganda in Russia|Russian propaganda]]. 

Among these outlets are [[Hlavné Správy]] (Main News) and [[Infovojna]] (Infowar), both widely recognized as prominent sources of disinformation and Russian propaganda in Slovakia.{{Ref|https://domov.sme.sk/c/22977844/hlavne-spravy-hlavny-dennik-infovojna-dezinformacne-media.html}}{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/2748815/web-hlavne-spravy-je-zablokovany-postup-statu-proti-dezinformaciam-nie-je-transparentny/}}{{Ref|https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/u3qFHLm/konspirovat-sa-oplati-slovenske-dezinfoweby-zarabaju-desiatky-tisic-eur-mesacne-ukazala-studia/}} In February 2023, an individual who contributed to Hlavné Správy confessed to espionage for Russia and was subsequently convicted.{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/3260192/rusky-spion-garbar-z-hlavnych-sprav-dostal-za-vyzvedacstvo-a-korupciu-podmienku-a-penazny-trest-15-tisic-eur/}} Despite Hlavné Správy and Infovojna having been temporarily suspended by the [[National Security Authority (Slovakia)|National Security Authority]] in accordance with the Cyber Security Act following the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 due to identified harmful activity{{Ref|https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/wGCLjvn/narodny-bezpecnostny-urad-zablokoval-styri-internetove-stranky/}}, the leaders continue to utilize these platforms for communication after the suspension was lifted.{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/minuta/3739884/}}{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/minuta/3875597/}} In his appearance on Infovojna in December 2023, Fico expressed gratitude towards "alternative media" for "correcting the distortions we have in the media market."{{Ref|https://domov.sme.sk/c/23267269/dezinfoweby-zazivaju-novu-vlnu-boomu.html}}

The party leading politicians also frequently appear in interviews with Daniel Bombic, a prominent Slovak alt-right figure residing in London, who is subject to three international arrest warrants for crimes related to [[extremism]], [[cyberbullying]], and [[doxing]].{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/3321422/kalinakovci-a-taraba-sa-zviditelnuju-cez-antisemitu-daniela-bombica-ktory-sikanoval-uradnicky-a-lekarov/}}{{Ref|https://spravy.rtvs.sk/2024/02/v-londyne-prebehlo-sudne-pojednavanie-so-slovenskym-konspiratorom-na-ktoreho-su-vydane-tri-medzinarodne-zatykace/}}{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/minuta/3329361/}} Bombic has gained notoriety for promoting conspiracy theories related to [[COVID-19 misinformation|COVID-19]], [[Great Replacement|The Great Replacement]], [[New World Order (conspiracy theory)|New World Order]] and [[International Jewish conspiracy]]. During the global pandemic, Bombic engaged in inciting attacks and spreading hate speech targeting doctors, hygienists, and other public figures.{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/2655088/internetovy-agresor-zverejnuje-osobne-udaje-lekarov-a-zamestnancov-statu-ti-nasledne-celia-obtazovaniu/}}{{Ref|https://zive.aktuality.sk/clanok/VQ4jQ42/telegramovy-hoaxer-z-londyna-bude-konspiracie-sirit-aspon-do-volieb-odlozili-mu-sud/}} In justifying his presence on Bombic's channels in March 2024, MP [[Tibor Gašpar]] of Smer argued that Bombic might be intentionally subjected to unjust accusations.{{Ref|https://sita.sk/gaspar-pojde-do-rovnakej-debaty-ako-sutaj-estok-ktorej-ucastnikom-bol-aj-hladany-extremista/}} Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, [[Robert Kaliňák]], defended Bombic by stating: "For someone to say that I want a future for my white children, is that supposed to be a racist crime? Are they crazy?"{{Ref|https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/fAP7M9S/kalinak-sa-zastava-extremistu-s-tromi-zatykacmi-jeho-synovec-s-nim-debatoval-v-relacii/}}

In the [[2024 European Parliament election in Slovakia|2024 European Parliament elections]], Smer included Judita Laššáková, a prominent Slovak alt-right figure who collaborates with Bombic, as their third candidate on the list.{{Ref|https://www.aktuality.sk/clanok/u5IFWOP/z-konspiracnej-sceny-na-kandidatku-smeru-spolupracovnicka-antisemitu-chce-byt-europoslankynou/}}

== Legal issues ==
Since the [[2020 Slovak parliamentary election|2020 parliamentary election]] – Smer's return to the opposition, Slovak authorities have been investigating a number of corruption-related crimes. By August 2023, a total of 42 individuals reportedly linked to the party, including policemen, prosecutors, judges, members of the [[Slovenská informačná služba|Slovak intelligence agency]], politicians, officials, and businessmen were convicted.{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/3532879/odsudili-uz-viac-ako-40-zlocincov-z-ery-smeru-nie-su-len-spolupracujuci-obvineni-nedostali-iba-podmienky/}} The party strongly rejects all charges, calling it [[criminalization of politics]].{{Ref|https://sita.sk/heger-je-podla-fica-zapojeny-do-zneuzivania-organov-cinnych-v-trestnom-konani-s-cielom-diskreditacie-opozicie-video/}} Numerous criticisms of the investigation process and the Special Prosecutor's Office were outlined in the brochure 'Overview of Violations of the Principles of the Rule of Law in the Years 2020–2023' published by the [[Ministry of Justice (Slovakia)|Ministry of Justice]] led by [[Boris Susko]] of Smer in December 2023.{{Ref|https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/698070-vlada-zverejnila-140-stranovu-brozuru-ako-mali-byt-v-rokoch-2020-2023-porusovane-ludske-prava-pozrite-si-cely-material/}}

In March 2023, Deputy Prime Minister and [[Ministry of Defence (Slovakia)|Minister of Defense]], [[Robert Kaliňák]], who previously served as [[Minister of Interior (Slovakia)|Minister of Interior]], and businessman Jozef Brhel were formally indicted with bribery. Kaliňák was identified as the intermediary in a bribery scheme involving an annual sum of €200,000, purportedly arranged by Brhel for František Imrecze, who served as the President of the Financial Administration at the time. In return for the alleged bribery, Imrecze facilitated the passing of information regarding entities scheduled for corporate income tax audits and ensured the fulfillment of requirements for filling positions within the Financial Administration with specific individuals recommended by Brhel. In one instance, the Financial Administration then awarded substantial IT contracts to Michal Suchoba's company, Allexis, while Suchoba himself is now a cooperating defendant. Imrecze, also a cooperating defendant, stated that the total amount of bribes involved was €1,100,000. The indictment was also based on the statements of other high-ranking officials, now cooperating defendants: the former director of the Criminal Office of the Financial Administration, Ľudovít Makó, and the former director general of the tax and customs administration section, Daniel Čech.{{Ref|https://domov.sme.sk/c/23151749/kalinak-brhel-obzaloba-imrecze-lipsic.html}} In June 2023, the indictment was quashed by the [[Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic|Supreme Court]] citing "serious procedural errors that infringed upon the defendants' right to a fair defense".{{Ref|https://www.noviny.sk/krimi/803315-najvyssi-sud-potvrdil-odmietnutie-obzaloby-na-roberta-kalinaka-a-jozefa-brhela}} In August 2023, Deputy Prosecutor General Jozef Sedlák canceled the charges for Kaliňák, while Brhel remained charged.{{Ref|https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/648760-zilinka-zrusil-obvinenia-ficovi-a-dalsim-v-kauze-sumrak/}}

In November 2020, [[Tibor Gašpar]] of Smer, a member of the [[National Council of Slovakia|National Council]] and former [[Police Corps (Slovakia)|Police]] President, was formally charged with organizing a criminal group. According to the charge, the criminal group predominantly comprised of members of the police force was founded by Gašpar in collaboration with businessman Norbert Bödör in 2012. The alleged activities of the group involved serving the interests of Bödör while engaging in illegal activities such as obstructing investigations into tax evasion, extortion, bribery, and utilizing police resources and technology for their operations. Gašpar and Bödör were purportedly at the top of the three tiers hierarchical criminal group. In one instance, allegations suggested that a private company, Interstore Group, sought to evade a criminal investigation. It was alleged that their request was to be fulfilled through a €400,000 bribe distributed among the members of the group, with Gašpar receiving €90,000 through an intermediary. In November 2022, Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka canceled the charges in compliance with the proposal of [[Prime Minister of Slovakia|Prime Minister]] and party chairman [[Robert Fico]] and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák. Žilinka described the charges as vague and imprecise, stating that they violated the basic principles of criminal proceedings.{{Ref|https://spravy.pravda.sk/domace/clanok/648760-zilinka-zrusil-obvinenia-ficovi-a-dalsim-v-kauze-sumrak/}}

In December 2023, Gašpar was accused of breaching the confidentiality of oral expression and other expression of a personal nature by complicity.{{Ref|https://domov.sme.sk/c/23255441/bodor-a-gaspar-su-obvineni-ze-zachranovali-fica.html}}

In April 2022, Robert Fico, Robert Kaliňák, Tibor Gašpar and Norbert Bödör were officially charged with endangering commercial, banking, postal, telecommunications and tax secrets, with Fico and Kaliňák additionally charged with organizing a criminal group and abuse of authority. Fico and Kaliňák allegedly misused state authorities and collaborated with other members of the group to illegally acquire information aimed at discrediting political adversaries, namely the then opposition leaders [[Igor Matovič]] and [[Andrej Kiska]]. In November 2022, Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka canceled the charges in compliance with the proposal of Fico and Kaliňák.{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/3128902/fico-a-kalinak-uz-nie-su-obvineni-vysetrovanie-bolo-na-konci-ked-u-zilinku-opat-vytiahli-paragraf-363/}}

In April 2023, [[Peter Kažimír]], former Minister of Finance and former vice-chairman of the party, was convicted by the Specialized Criminal Court for bribery. According to the indictment supported by the testimony of cooperating defendant František Imrecze, Kažimír allegedly gave a bribe of €48,000 to Imrecze, who was then the President of the Financial Administration. The alleged purpose of the bribe was to expedite and ensure a favorable outcome in tax appeal proceedings concerning two private companies.{{Ref|https://sita.sk/kazimir-je-vinny-z-podplacania-sudca-ho-odsudil-trestnym-rozkazom-2/}} Kažimír denied all the charges and appealed against the verdict. As of 2024, the trial is still ongoing.{{Ref|https://dennikn.sk/3451525/kazimira-zacali-sudit-pre-podozrenie-ze-ako-minister-ficovej-vlady-dal-uplatok/}}

In 2021, Bernard Slobodník, a cooperating defendant who formerly served as the director of the National Financial Police Unit, testified that State Secretary of Justice Pavol Gašpar of Smer, son of Tibor Gašpar, was supposed to hand over a bribe of €60,000 in exchange for information from the investigation. An investigation into the allegation was not initiated because it was already time-barred.{{Ref|https://domov.sme.sk/c/23288494/korupcia-pavol-gaspar-bernard-slobodnik-smer-robert-fico.html}}

Monika Jankovská of Smer, former State Secretary of Justice and former member of the National Council, testified about the alleged involvement in corrupt practices within the judiciary, admitting her own criminal activity.{{Ref|https://domov.sme.sk/c/22579376/jankovska-chce-v-pripade-prepustenia-z-vazby-prijat-monitorovaci-naramok.html}}

== Election results ==
=== National Council ===
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|-
! Election
! Leader
! Votes
! %
!Rank
! Seats
! +/–
! Status
|-
![[2002 Slovak parliamentary election|2002]]
| rowspan="6" |[[Robert Fico]]
|387,100
|{{Percentage bar|13.5|hex=d82222}}
|3rd
|{{composition bar|25|150|hex=#d82222}}
| bgcolor="lightgrey"|
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|-
![[2006 Slovak parliamentary election|2006]]
|671,185
|{{Percentage bar|29.1|hex=d82222}}
|1st
|{{composition bar|50|150|hex=#d82222}}
|{{Increase}} 25
|{{Yes2|Smer–[[Slovak National Party|SNS]]–[[People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia|HZDS]]}}
|-
![[2010 Slovak parliamentary election|2010]]
|880,111
|{{Percentage bar|34.8|hex=d82222}}
|1st
|{{composition bar|62|150|hex=#d82222}}
|{{Increase}} 12
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|-
![[2012 Slovak parliamentary election|2012]]
|1,134,280
|{{Percentage bar|44.4|hex=d82222}}
|1st
|{{composition bar|83|150|hex=#d82222}}
|{{Increase}} 21
|{{Yes2|Smer}}
|-
! rowspan="2" |[[2016 Slovak parliamentary election|2016]]
| rowspan="2" |737,481
| rowspan="2" |{{Percentage bar|28.3|hex=d82222}}
| rowspan="2" |1st
| rowspan="2" |{{composition bar|49|150|hex=#d82222}}
| rowspan="2" |{{decrease}} 34
|{{Yes2|Smer–[[Slovak National Party|SNS]]–[[Most–Híd|Bridge]]–[[Slovak Conservative Party|Network]]<br>{{small|(2016)}}}}
|-
|{{Yes2|Smer–[[Slovak National Party|SNS]]–[[Most–Híd|Bridge]]<br>{{small|(2016–2020)}}}}
|-
! [[2020 Slovak parliamentary election|2020]]
| [[Peter Pellegrini]]{{efn|[[Peter Pellegrini]] served as the electoral leader at the top of the party list, while [[Robert Fico]] served as the party chairman.|name="Pellegrini"}}
| 527,172
| {{Percentage bar|18.3|hex=d82222}}
|2nd
| {{composition bar|38|150|hex=#d82222}}
|{{decrease}} 11
|{{No2|Opposition}}
|-
![[2023 Slovak parliamentary election|2023]]
|Robert Fico
|681,017
|{{Percentage bar|23.0|hex=d82222}}
|1st
| {{composition bar|42|150|hex=#d82222}}
|{{increase}} 4
|{{Yes2|Smer–[[Voice – Social Democracy|Hlas]]–[[Slovak National Party|SNS]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Smer, Hlas a SNS sa dohodli, podpísali memorandum. SaS: Novú koalíciu budú spájať kšefty a korupcia |url=https://spravy.pravda.sk/parlamentne-volby-2023/clanok/684606-fico-pellegrini-a-danko-potvrdia-vznik-koalicie-podpisu-memorandum-o-porozumeni/ |work=Pravda.sk |date=11 October 2023 |language=sk-SK}}</ref>}}
|}

=== European Parliament ===
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|-
!Election
!Leader
!Votes
!%
!Rank
!Seats
!+/–
!Group
|-
![[2004 European Parliament election in Slovakia|2004]]
|[[Monika Beňová]]
|118,535
|{{Percentage bar|16.9|hex=d82222}}
|3rd
|{{composition bar|3|14|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
| bgcolor="lightgrey"|
| rowspan="4" |[[Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats|S&D]]
|-
![[2009 European Parliament election in Slovakia|2009]]
|[[Boris Zala]]
|264,722
|{{Percentage bar|32.0|hex=d82222}}
|1st
|{{composition bar|5|13|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
|{{increase}} 2
|-
![[2014 European Parliament election in Slovakia|2014]]
|[[Maroš Šefčovič]]
|135,089
|{{Percentage bar|24.1|hex=d82222}}
|1st
|{{composition bar|4|13|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
|{{decrease}} 1
|-
![[2019 European Parliament election in Slovakia|2019]]
| rowspan="2" |Monika Beňová
|154,996
|{{Percentage bar|15.7|hex=d82222}}
|2nd
|{{composition bar|3|14|hex={{party color|Direction – Slovak Social Democracy}}}}
|{{decrease}} 1
|-
![[2024 European Parliament election in Slovakia|2024]]
|TBD
|TBD
|TBD
|TBD
|TBD
|TBD
|}

=== President ===
{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+
! rowspan="2" |Election
! rowspan="2" |Candidate
! colspan="3" |First round
! colspan="3" |Second round
|-
!Votes
!%
!Rank
!Votes
!%
!Rank
|-
![[2004 Slovak presidential election|2004]]
|''Endorsed<br>[[Ivan Gašparovič]]''
|442,564
|{{Percentage bar|22.3|hex=d82222}}
|2nd
|1,079,592
|{{Percentage bar|59.9|hex=d82222}}
|{{font|text=1st|color=green}}
|-
![[2009 Slovak presidential election|2009]]
|''Endorsed<br>Ivan Gašparovič''
|876,061
|{{Percentage bar|46.7|hex=d82222}}
|1st
|1,234,787
|{{Percentage bar|55.5|hex=d82222}}
|{{font|text=1st|color=green}}
|-
![[2014 Slovak presidential election|2014]]
|[[Robert Fico]]
|531,919
|{{Percentage bar|28.0|hex=d82222}}
|1st
|893,841
|{{Percentage bar|40.6|hex=d82222}}
|{{font|text=2nd|color=red}}
|-
![[2019 Slovak presidential election|2019]]
|''Endorsed<br>[[Maroš Šefčovič]]''{{efn|Although [[Maroš Šefčovič]] was officially an independent, his campaign was funded by the party.|name=nb}}
|400,379
|{{Percentage bar|18.7|hex=d82222}}
|2nd
|752,403
|{{Percentage bar|41.6|hex=d82222}}
|{{font|text=2nd|color=red}}
|-
![[2024 Slovak presidential election|2024]]
|''Endorsed<br>[[Peter Pellegrini]]''
|834,718
|{{Percentage bar|37.0|hex=d82222}}
|2nd
|1,409,255
|{{Percentage bar|53.1|hex=d82222}}
|{{font|text=1st|color=green}}
|}

== See also ==
* [[Alliance of Independent Social Democrats]]
* [[Czech Social Democratic Party]]
* [[Politics of Slovakia]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060613070353/http://strana-smer.sk/ Official party website] {{in lang|sk}}
* [https://archive.today/20120715020843/http://portal.ives.sk/registre/detailUplnyPS.do?action=uplny&formular=nazov&id=153097 Entry in Slovak Interior Ministry's Register of Parties] {{in lang|sk}}

{{Direction – Social Democracy}}
{{Party of European Socialists}}
{{Political parties in Slovakia}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Direction - Social Democracy}}
[[Category:Direction – Social Democracy| ]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Slovakia]]
[[Category:Full member parties of the Socialist International]]
[[Category:Nationalist parties in Slovakia]]
[[Category:Party of European Socialists member parties]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 1999]]
[[Category:Social democratic parties in Slovakia]]
[[Category:Organizations that oppose LGBT rights in Europe]]
[[Category:Organizations that oppose LGBT rights in Slovakia]]
[[Category:Anti-immigration politics in Europe]]
[[Category:Opposition to same-sex marriage in Europe]]
[[Category:Anti-imperialism in Europe]]
[[Category:Anti-globalization movement]]
[[Category:Russophilic parties]]
[[Category:Robert Fico]]