2023 Slovak parliamentary election: Difference between revisions

2023 Slovak parliamentary election
All 150 seats in the National Council; 76 seats needed for a majority
	Opinion polls
Turnout	68.5% ( 2.7pp)
	Results of the election, showing vote strength by district
Prime Minister before election; Ľudovít Ódor (acting); Independent	Elected Prime Minister ; Robert Fico; Smer

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Early parliamentary elections were held in the Slovak Republic on 30 September 2023 to elect members of the National Council. Regular elections were scheduled to be held in 2024. However, on 15 December 2022 the government lost a no-confidence vote.^[1] Subsequently, the National Council amended the Constitution so that an early election could be held on 30 September 2023.^[2] This was the first snap election in the country since 2012.

The left-wing populist and social conservative Direction – Social Democracy (Smer-SD), led by former Prime Minister Robert Fico, emerged as the largest party, winning 42 seats. The social-liberal and pro-European Progressive Slovakia (PS) came in second, with 32 seats. Former Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini's social-democratic Voice – Social Democracy (Hlas-SD), which split from Smer-SD in 2020, came in third with 27 seats. The conservative OĽaNO and its allies won 16 seats, less than a quarter of their total in the 2020 election. The Christian-democratic Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) and the right-wing populist Slovak National Party (SNS) re-entered the National Council after failing to achieve the vote threshold in 2020, winning twelve and ten seats respectively. The classical liberal Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) won eleven seats, tying the 2012 election as their worst result since the party's founding.^[3]

As no single party or alliance reached the 76 seats needed for a majority, a coalition government was needed. A coalition government of Smer-SD, Hlas-SD, and SNS was formed. A new government with Robert Fico as prime minister was sworn in on 25 October 2023.^[4]

Background

Prior to the previous election, the Slovak Republic experienced a period of political turbulence, triggered by the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in 2018. The incident led to widespread protests and the resignation of then-Prime Minister Robert Fico.^[5]

The election itself was won by the movement of Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OĽaNO) led by Igor Matovič. The party emerged as the victor, gaining over a quarter of the popular vote, which translated to 53 seats in the 150-seat National Council. OĽaNO formed a coalition government with several other parties, ending the long-standing dominance of Direction – Social Democracy (SMER–SD).^[6]

Electoral system

The 150 members of the National Council were elected by proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency with an electoral threshold of 5% for single parties, 7% for coalitions of two or three parties, and 10% for coalitions of four or more parties. The election used the open list system, with seats allocated using largest remainder method with Hagenbach-Bischoff quota, a variant of the D'Hondt method.^[7] Voters were able to cast up to four preferential votes for candidates of the selected party.^[8]

All citizens of the Slovak Republic were allowed to vote except for citizens under 18 years of age, felons in prison convicted of serious offenses, and people declared ineligible to perform legal acts by court. Voters abroad on election day were allowed to vote by mail.^[9] All citizens 21 years of age or older on the election day and are permanent residents of Slovakia, were allowed to run as candidates except for prisoners, convicted felons, and those declared ineligible to perform legal acts by court.^[10] All participating parties must register 90 days before election day and pay a deposit of €17,000 which would be refunded to all parties gaining at least 3% of the votes.

Voters not present in their electoral district at the time of the elections were allowed to request a voting certificate (voličský preukaz), which allowed them to vote in any district regardless of their residency. Voters abroad on election day were allowed to request a postal vote. According to the Central Election Committee, approximately 72,000 citizens of the Slovak Republic living abroad had requested a postal vote for the election. The deadline for requests passed on 9 August 2023.

Political parties and lead candidates

Parties on the ballot
#	List			Main ideology	Lead candidate	Previous election (2020)		2023
#	List			Main ideology	Lead candidate	Votes (%)	Seats	Seats
3		Progressive Slovakia	PS	Liberalism	Michal Šimečka	7.0%	0 / 150	1 / 150
5		Coalition OĽaNO–Christian Union–For the People	OĽaNO–KÚ–ZĽ	Conservatism	Igor Matovič	30.8%	65 / 150	37 / 150
12		Freedom and Solidarity	SaS	Liberalism	Richard Sulík	6.2%	13 / 150	19 / 150
15		Slovak National Party	SNS	Ultranationalism	Andrej Danko	3.2%	0 / 150	3 / 150
16		Direction – Social Democracy	Smer	Social conservatism	Robert Fico	18.3%	38 / 150	27 / 150
17		Voice – Social Democracy	Hlas	Social democracy	Peter Pellegrini	—	—	11 / 150
23		Christian Democratic Movement	KDH	Christian democracy	Milan Majerský	4.7%	0 / 150	0 / 150

Television debates

2023 Slovak parliamentary election
Date	Broadcasters	P Present S Surrogate NI Not invited A Absent I Invited N No debate
		OĽANO	Smer–SD	SR	ĽSNS	PS	D	SaS	KDH	Aliancia	MF	SNS	Modrí, Híd	Hlas–SD	REP	Piráti	PRINCÍP	SOS	KSS	VB	SPRAVODLIVOSŤ	SHO	MySlovensko	SRDCE	SDKÚ-DS	KARMA

3 Sep 2023^[11]	JOJ 24 (150th candidates)	P Matovič	P Bekmatov	P Klus	NI	A Kusá	NI	P Hlina	P F. Majerský	NI	NI	P Huliak	NI	A L. Pellegrini	P Mazurek	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
19 Sep 2023^[12]	Jednotka/RS	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	S Kaliaš	S Smolka	NI	P Stanovič	NI	NI	P Panenka	NI	NI	P Szaboová
20 Sep 2023^[12]	TV JOJ/JOJ 24	P Matovič	NI	P Kollár	NI	NI	NI	NI	P Majerský	NI	NI	P Danko	NI	NI	P Uhrík	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
20 Sep 2023^[12]	Jednotka/RS	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	P Šubová	NI	NI	P Hrdlička	NI	P Chlebo	P Švec	NI	NI	P Rybárik	NI
21 Sep 2023^[12]	TV JOJ/JOJ 24	NI	P Fico	NI	NI	P Šimečka	NI	P Sulík	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	P Pellegrini	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
21 Sep 2023^[12]	Jednotka/RS	NI	NI	NI	S Schlosár	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	S Rajtár	NI	S Schwarzbacher	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	S Tokár	NI	NI
22 Sep 2023^[12]^[13]	TV Markíza	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	S Kaliaš	P Hanuliak	NI	P Stanovič	P Chlebo	P Švec	NI	NI	NI	P Szaboová
23 Sep 2023^[12]^[14]	TV Markíza	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	P Šubová	NI	NI	P Hrdlička	NI	NI	NI	P Panenka	S Kováč	P Rybárik	NI
24 Sep 2023^[12]^[15]	TV Markíza	NI	NI	NI	S Kotleba	NI	S Letanovská	NI	NI	P Forró	P Šimon	NI	P Dzurinda	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
25 Sep 2023^[12]^[16]	Jednotka/RS	P Jurinová	NI	NI	NI	NI	S Naď	NI	NI	S Gyimesi	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
25 Sep 2023^[12]^[17]	TA3	S Remišová	NI	S Krajniak	NI	NI	NI	NI	P Majerský	P Forró	NI	P Danko	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
25 Sep 2023^[12]^[18]	TV Markíza	P Matovič	A Fico	P Kollár	NI	P Šimečka	NI	P Sulík	P Majerský	NI	NI	P Danko	NI	S Tomáš	P Uhrík	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
26 Sep 2023^[12] (cancelled)^[19]	~~TV Markíza~~	N Matovič	N Fico	NI	NI	N Šimečka	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	N Pellegrini	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
26 Sep 2023^[12]^[20]	Jednotka/RS	NI	NI	S Pčolinský	NI	NI	NI	S Gröhling	S Hajko	NI	NI	P Danko	NI	NI	S Mazurek	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
26 Sep 2023^[12]^[21]	TA3	NI	P Fico	NI	NI	P Šimečka	NI	P Sulík	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	P Pellegrini	P Uhrík	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI
27 Sep 2023^[12]	Jednotka/RS	NI	P Fico	NI	NI	P Šimečka	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	P Pellegrini	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI	NI

Opinion polls

Issues and developments

2023 election issues included high inflation, Slovakia's position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the related global energy crisis, COVID-19, internal fights within the previous government, corruption scandals and immigration;^[22]^[23] questions of rights and values (particularly LGBTQ+ issues) were covered during the campaign by Al Jazeera English, BBC^[23]^[24] and Pravda.^[25]

By the week of the election, popularity polls indicated that the two strongest parties were the Progressive Slovakia (led by pro-European Michal Šimečka, a member of the European Parliament (EP) since 2019, and EP Vice-President since 2022, who has committed to maintaining support for Ukraine) and Smer-SD (headed by Robert Fico, three-time former prime minister, who has committed to ending Slovakia's support for Ukraine); however, neither appeared to be commanding a majority, and the BBC projected neither would top 20% of the vote,^[24] so each would have to attempt to build a coalition with other parties to achieve the majority needed to rule.^[22]^[23]^[24] Consequently, as many as 10 parties could wind up in the government.^[24]

The third-largest party, which tipped the balance in favor of Robert Fico, is Hlas–SD (Voice), the moderate-left party of Peter Pellegrini (formerly of Smer-SD, and former prime minister, 2018–20).

Results



Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Direction – Social Democracy	681,017	22.95	42	+4
	Progressive Slovakia	533,136	17.96	32	+32
	Voice – Social Democracy	436,415	14.70	27	New
	OĽaNO and Friends	264,137	8.90	16	–48
	Christian Democratic Movement	202,515	6.82	12	+12
	Freedom and Solidarity	187,645	6.32	11	–2
	Slovak National Party	166,995	5.63	10	+10
	Republic	141,099	4.75	0	New
	Alliance	130,183	4.39	0	0
	Democrats	87,006	2.93	0	0
	We Are Family	65,673	2.21	0	–17
	People's Party Our Slovakia	25,003	0.84	0	–17
	Communist Party of Slovakia	9,867	0.33	0	New
	Pirate Party – Slovakia	9,358	0.32	0	New
	Modrí, Most–Híd	7,935	0.27	0	New
	Hungarian Forum	3,486	0.12	0	New
	MySlovensko [sk]	2,786	0.09	0	New
	Karma	2,407	0.08	0	New
	Common Citizens of Slovakia [sk]	2,401	0.08	0	New
	HEART Patriots and Pensioners – Slovak National Unity	2,315	0.08	0	New
	Princíp [sk]	1,817	0.06	0	New
	Spravodlivosť	1,335	0.04	0	0
	Slovak Revival Movement [sk]	1,332	0.04	0	0
	Patriotic Bloc [sk]	1,262	0.04	0	New
	Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party	771	0.03	0	New
Total		2,967,896	100.00	150	0

Valid votes		2,967,896	98.83
Invalid/blank votes		35,052	1.17
Total votes		3,002,948	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		4,388,872	68.42
Source: Results

Results by region

Region	Smer–SD	PS	Hlas–SD	OĽaNO and Friends	KDH	SaS	SNS	Republic	Alliance	Democrats	We Are Family	People's Party Our Slovakia	KSS	Other parties
Region														Other parties
Bratislava Region	18.54	31.00	10.36	6.17	4.90	12.50	4.31	3.14	0.91	4.43	1.78	0.57	0.20	1.08
Trnava Region	22.01	17.07	12.11	9.40	4.56	5.36	4.43	4.38	12.69	2.92	2.19	0.81	0.40	1.56
Trenčín Region	29.47	16.63	16.40	5.93	5.44	5.63	7.28	5.45	0.03	2.84	2.22	1.06	0.46	1.03
Nitra Region	25.31	14.42	14.40	7.47	4.06	4.80	4.51	4.46	13.91	2.19	2.01	0.80	0.26	1.24
Žilina Region	25.79	15.51	16.04	6.90	9.38	5.56	8.11	5.61	0.02	2.80	2.02	0.96	0.34	0.89
Banská Bystrica Region	22.89	14.96	19.76	7.41	4.29	5.14	6.53	5.18	5.17	2.40	2.73	1.33	0.43	1.67
Prešov Region	22.04	10.83	16.16	14.78	14.07	4.10	5.73	5.22	0.07	2.65	2.36	0.63	0.31	0.98
Košice Region	21.10	14.68	15.08	13.46	6.80	5.74	4.38	4.97	5.44	2.98	2.75	0.76	0.33	1.41
Foreign	6.10	61.70	2.46	3.81	3.31	10.80	3.79	3.20	0.47	2.50	0.55	0.38	0.04	0.76

Total	22.94	17.96	14.70	8.89	6.82	6.32	5.62	4.75	4.38	2.93	2.21	0.84	0.33	1.16

Aftermath

As analysts predicted, Peter Pellegrini's Hlas-SD played the role of kingmaker in the "jockeying" that characterized the election's aftermath.^[26] Two viable coalitions emerged: one consisting of Fico's Smer-SD, Hlas-SD, and SNS; the other of Hlas-SD, PS, KDH, and SaS. On 2 October 2023, two days after the election, president Zuzana Čaputová tasked Fico, as the leader of the now-largest parliamentary party, with forming a government within 14 days. On 3 October, she held "informal discussions" with PS's leader Michal Šimečka about the possibility of a PS-led coalition before meeting with Pellegrini and KDH's Milan Majerský. Following this meeting, Pellegrini stated that his party was not ruling out either coalition.

According to SNS leader Andrej Danko, the ensuing negotiations revolved around Pellegrini's future role. Fico allegedly offered Pellegrini the role of Speaker of the National Council, while Šimečka was willing to support Pellegrini for Prime Minister in exchange for PS receiving the Ministry of the Interior.^[27] On 10 October, Hlas-SD announced that it had rejected PS's offer.^[28]^[29] On 11 October, Smer-SD, Hlas-SD, and SNS ratified their coalition agreement, according to which they were to receive 6, 7, and 3 ministerial portfolios, respectively.^[30]^[31]^[32]

On 12 October, the Party of European Socialists (PES) suspended Smer-SD and Hlas-SD over their plans to enter into coalition with SNS, which the PES views as a "radical-right party."^[33] One week later, on 19 October, Čaputová announced she would not approve the coalition government's nominee for Minister of Environment, Rudolf Huliak (SNS), due to his avowed climate change denialism. This delayed the swearing-in of the new government.^[34]^[35]^[36] After the coalition partners replaced Huliak with Tomáš Taraba (also SNS) as their nominee for the post, Čaputová accepted the coalition's government. She swore in the new government, with Fico at its helm, on 25 October.^[37]^[4]^[38]

Notes

^ Including For the People - 12; not including Change from Below - 1

References

^ Janiček, Karel (15 December 2022). "Slovak coalition government collapses after losing no-confidence vote in parliament". PBS. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
^ Kahn, Michael (22 January 2023). Lawson, Hugh (ed.). "Slovakia's former coalition heads agree to early parliamentary elections". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
^ "Výsledky predčasných volieb 2023". Denník N (in Slovak). 18 September 2023. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Slovakia swears in a new Cabinet led by a populist ex-premier who opposes support for Ukraine". AP News. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^ "Slovak PM Robert Fico resigns". POLITICO. 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2023. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico officially resigned Thursday, less than three weeks after the murder of an investigative reporter and his fiancée shocked the nation.
^ "Výsledky parlamentných volieb 2020". SME (in Slovak). 29 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
^ Slovak law 180/2014 § 68
^ "Slovakia Národná rada (National Council) Electoral System". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
^ "Voľba poštou, Ministerstvo vnútra SR - Verejná správa" (in Slovak). Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
^ "Prieskum: Voľby by vyhral Smer, OĽaNO-NOVA mimo parlamentu". Pravda (in Slovak). 9 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
^ "Prvá veľká predvolebná debata je tu! V diskusii sa stretne 9 kandidátov, aj Matovič, Hlina či Mazurek". Mediaklik.sk (in Slovak). 3 September 2023. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o "V televíziách sa začínajú hlavné predvolebné televízne diskusie". TASR (in Slovak). 20 September 2023. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
^ "Krava do každej rodiny aj štát riadený umelou inteligenciou. Diskusný maratón na TV Markíza odštartoval prvou predvolebnou debatou". TV Markíza (in Slovak). 22 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
^ "Kluby na pestovanie marihuany aj štvordňový pracovný týždeň. TV Markíza priniesla druhú predvolebnú debatu". TV Markíza (in Slovak). 23 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
^ "Sledujte NAŽIVO: Predvolebná diskusia s predstaviteľmi politických strán". TV Markíza (in Slovak). 25 September 2023. Archived from the original on 28 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
^ "Parlamentné voľby 2023 - diskusie". Radio and Television of Slovakia (in Slovak). 25 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
^ "Superdebata: v ta3 sa stretli zástupcovia strán KDH, SNS, OĽANO a priateľov, Aliancie a Sme rodina". TA3 (in Slovak). 25 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
^ "Sledujte NAŽIVO: Lídri najsilnejších politických strán prezradili, o ktoré ministerstvá by mali po voľbách záujem". TV Markíza (in Slovak). 25 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
^ "Markíza zrušila finálnu debatu pre bojkot Smeru a neúčasť Hlasu a PS, OĽaNO to považuje za "mafiánske praktiky"". Denník N (in Slovak). 22 September 2023. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
^ "Miesto ideológií v školstve, popieranie holokaustu či zavádzanie bankového odvodu. Aj o tom bola piata predvolebná diskusia RTVS". Radio and Television of Slovakia (in Slovak). 26 September 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
^ "Finálna Superdebata Voľby 2023". TA3 (in Slovak). 26 September 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
^ ^a ^b "A NATO country could soon have a pro-Russian leader," Archived 29 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine updated September 28, 2023, CNN, retrieved September 29, 2023
^ ^a ^b ^c "Slovakia’s knife-edge election to determine stance on Ukraine," Archived 29 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine September 27, 2023, Reuters in Al Jazeera, retrieved September 29, 2023
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Ukraine war: Slovakia's Robert Fico eyes comeback in Saturday's election," Archived 29 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine September 29, 2023, BBC, retrieved September 29, 2023
^ Mogilevskaia, Anna (9 September 2023). "Sulík pre Pravdu: Pliagou Slovenska je silný štát, nie LGBTI. Po voľbách si viem predstaviť SaS vo vláde". Pravda. Bratislava: Our Media SR. ISSN 1336-197X. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
^ Nicholson, Tom (1 October 2023). "Coalition jockeying revs up in Slovakia after Fico's victory". Politico. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
^ Bilás, Zsuzsanna (9 October 2023). "Pellegrini nem kapkodja el a döntést, félidőnél jár a Smer kormányalakítási megbízása". Napunk. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
^ Ibos, Emese (10 October 2023). "A Hlas elutasította a Progresszív Szlovákia ajánlatát. Már biztos, hogy Fico alakít kormányt". Napunk. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
^ "Slovakian kingmaker backs Fico coalition, vows foreign policy continuity". Reuters. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
^ Nicholson, Tom; Hülsemann, Laura (11 October 2023). "New government emerges in Slovakia, with Robert Fico as prime minister". Politico. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
^ Hancock, Sam (11 October 2023). "Slovakia elections: Populist winner signs deal to form coalition government". BBC News. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^ Hovet, Jason (16 October 2023). "Slovakia's populist ex-PM Fico seals coalition deal for new government". Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^ Wax, Eddy; Barigazzi, Jacopo; Jochecová, Ketrin (12 October 2023). "European socialists suspend Robert Fico's Smer party and its ally Hlas". Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
^ Jochecová, Ketrin (19 October 2023). "Slovakia's president refuses to back climate change denier as environment minister". Politico. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^ "Slovakia president rejects nomination of opponent of climate change policy as environment minister". AP News. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^ "Slovakia president sets condition to appoint ex-PM Fico's cabinet". Reuters. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^ Jochacová, Ketrin (24 October 2023). "Robert Fico to become Slovakia's new prime minister". Politico. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
^ Henley, Jon (25 October 2023). "Slovakia's new prime minister Robert Fico to attend EU summit". the Guardian. Retrieved 25 October 2023.

[1] Including For the People - 12; not including Change from Below - 1

[2] Janiček, Karel (15 December 2022). "Slovak coalition government collapses after losing no-confidence vote in parliament". PBS. Archived from the original on 8 February 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.

[3] Kahn, Michael (22 January 2023). Lawson, Hugh (ed.). "Slovakia's former coalition heads agree to early parliamentary elections". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.

[4] "Výsledky predčasných volieb 2023". Denník N (in Slovak). 18 September 2023. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.

[SwearsInAPNews2023-5] "Slovakia swears in a new Cabinet led by a populist ex-premier who opposes support for Ukraine". AP News. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.

[6] "Slovak PM Robert Fico resigns". POLITICO. 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2023. Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico officially resigned Thursday, less than three weeks after the murder of an investigative reporter and his fiancée shocked the nation.

[7] "Výsledky parlamentných volieb 2020". SME (in Slovak). 29 February 2020. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2023.

[8] Slovak law 180/2014 § 68

[9] "Slovakia Národná rada (National Council) Electoral System". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 8 March 2016.

[10] "Voľba poštou, Ministerstvo vnútra SR - Verejná správa" (in Slovak). Ministry of the Interior. Retrieved 14 December 2015.

[11] "Prieskum: Voľby by vyhral Smer, OĽaNO-NOVA mimo parlamentu". Pravda (in Slovak). 9 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.

[12] "Prvá veľká predvolebná debata je tu! V diskusii sa stretne 9 kandidátov, aj Matovič, Hlina či Mazurek". Mediaklik.sk (in Slovak). 3 September 2023. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.

[debate-13] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o "V televíziách sa začínajú hlavné predvolebné televízne diskusie". TASR (in Slovak). 20 September 2023. Archived from the original on 21 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.

[14] "Krava do každej rodiny aj štát riadený umelou inteligenciou. Diskusný maratón na TV Markíza odštartoval prvou predvolebnou debatou". TV Markíza (in Slovak). 22 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.

[15] "Kluby na pestovanie marihuany aj štvordňový pracovný týždeň. TV Markíza priniesla druhú predvolebnú debatu". TV Markíza (in Slovak). 23 September 2023. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.

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[20] "Markíza zrušila finálnu debatu pre bojkot Smeru a neúčasť Hlasu a PS, OĽaNO to považuje za "mafiánske praktiky"". Denník N (in Slovak). 22 September 2023. Archived from the original on 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.

[21] "Miesto ideológií v školstve, popieranie holokaustu či zavádzanie bankového odvodu. Aj o tom bola piata predvolebná diskusia RTVS". Radio and Television of Slovakia (in Slovak). 26 September 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.

[22] "Finálna Superdebata Voľby 2023". TA3 (in Slovak). 26 September 2023. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.

[soon_2023_09_28_cnn-23] "A NATO country could soon have a pro-Russian leader," Archived 29 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine updated September 28, 2023, CNN, retrieved September 29, 2023

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[fico_2023_09_29_bbc-25] "Ukraine war: Slovakia's Robert Fico eyes comeback in Saturday's election," Archived 29 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine September 29, 2023, BBC, retrieved September 29, 2023

[26] Mogilevskaia, Anna (9 September 2023). "Sulík pre Pravdu: Pliagou Slovenska je silný štát, nie LGBTI. Po voľbách si viem predstaviť SaS vo vláde". Pravda. Bratislava: Our Media SR. ISSN 1336-197X. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.

[27] Nicholson, Tom (1 October 2023). "Coalition jockeying revs up in Slovakia after Fico's victory". Politico. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.

[28] Bilás, Zsuzsanna (9 October 2023). "Pellegrini nem kapkodja el a döntést, félidőnél jár a Smer kormányalakítási megbízása". Napunk. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.

[29] Ibos, Emese (10 October 2023). "A Hlas elutasította a Progresszív Szlovákia ajánlatát. Már biztos, hogy Fico alakít kormányt". Napunk. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.

[30] "Slovakian kingmaker backs Fico coalition, vows foreign policy continuity". Reuters. 10 October 2023. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2023.

[31] Nicholson, Tom; Hülsemann, Laura (11 October 2023). "New government emerges in Slovakia, with Robert Fico as prime minister". Politico. Archived from the original on 11 October 2023. Retrieved 11 October 2023.

[32] Hancock, Sam (11 October 2023). "Slovakia elections: Populist winner signs deal to form coalition government". BBC News. Retrieved 25 October 2023.

[33] Hovet, Jason (16 October 2023). "Slovakia's populist ex-PM Fico seals coalition deal for new government". Reuters. Retrieved 25 October 2023.

[34] Wax, Eddy; Barigazzi, Jacopo; Jochecová, Ketrin (12 October 2023). "European socialists suspend Robert Fico's Smer party and its ally Hlas". Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.

[35] Jochecová, Ketrin (19 October 2023). "Slovakia's president refuses to back climate change denier as environment minister". Politico. Retrieved 25 October 2023.

[36] "Slovakia president rejects nomination of opponent of climate change policy as environment minister". AP News. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.

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@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 | majority_seats = 76
 | opinion_polls = Opinion polling for the 2023 Slovak parliamentary election
-| turnout = 68.5% {{increase}} 2.7[[percentage points|pp]]
+| turnout = 68.5% ({{increase}} 2.7[[percentage points|pp]])
 | image_size = 130x130px
-| image1 = Robert Fico 854x1174.jpg
+| image1 = Robert Fico, Nov 2023 cropped.jpg
 | leader1 = [[Robert Fico]]
 | party1 = Direction – Social Democracy
@@ Line 23: / Line 24: @@
 | percentage1 = '''23.0%'''
 | swing1 = {{increase}} 4.7 pp
 | image2 = Michal Šimečka pri predstavovaní volebného programu (cropped).jpg
 | leader2 = [[Michal Šimečka]]
@@ Line 32: / Line 34: @@
 | percentage2 = 18.0%
 | swing2 = {{increase}} 11.0 pp
 | image3 = Peter Pellegrini 551x759.jpg
 | leader3 = [[Peter Pellegrini]]
 | party3 = Voice – Social Democracy
-| last_election3 =
+| last_election3 = ''Did not exist''
 | seats3 = 27
 | seat_change3 = ''New party''
@@ Line 41: / Line 44: @@
 | percentage3 = 14.7%
 | swing3 = ''New party''
 | image4 = Igor Matovič after an interview (2020).jpg
 | leader4 = [[Igor Matovič]]
-| party4 = OĽaNO and Friends
+| party4 = Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
+| alliance4 = OĽaNO and Friends
-| last_election4 =
+| last_election4 = 64{{Efn|Including [[For the People (Slovakia)|For the People]] - 12; not including [[Change from Below]] - 1}}
 | seats4 = 16
-| seat_change4 = {{decrease}} 49
+| seat_change4 = {{decrease}} 48
 | popular_vote4 = 264,137
 | percentage4 = 8.9%
 | swing4 = {{decrease}} 21.9 pp
 | image5 = Milan Majerský.jpg
 | leader5 = [[Milan Majerský]]
 | party5 = Christian Democratic Movement
+| alliance5 = —
 | color5 = {{party color|Christian Democratic Movement (2021)}}
-| last_election5 =
+| last_election5 = 0
 | seats5 = 12
 | seat_change5 = {{increase}} 12
@@ Line 60: / Line 67: @@
 | percentage5 = 6.8%
 | swing5 = {{increase}} 2.1 pp
 | image6 = Richard Sulík, 29 October 2022.jpg
 | leader6 = [[Richard Sulík]]
 | party6 = Freedom and Solidarity
+| alliance6 = —
 | color6 = {{party color|Freedom and Solidarity (2023)}}
 | last_election6 =
@@ Line 70: / Line 79: @@
 | percentage6 = 6.3%
 | swing6 = {{increase}} 0.1 pp
 | image7 = Andrej-Danko-2016.jpg
 | leader7 = [[Andrej Danko (politician)|Andrej Danko]]
 | party7 = Slovak National Party
-| last_election7 =
+| last_election7 = 0
 | seats7 = 10
 | seat_change7 = {{increase}} 10
@@ Line 79: / Line 89: @@
 | percentage7 = 5.6%
 | swing7 = {{increase}} 2.4 pp
 | map_image = File:Slovak parliamentary election map 2023.svg
 | map_caption = Results of the election, showing vote strength by district
 | title = [[Prime Minister of Slovakia|Prime Minister]]
-| before_election = [[Ľudovít Ódor]] (acting)
+| before_election = [[Ľudovít Ódor]] (acting) | before_party = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
+| after_election = [[Robert Fico]] | after_party = [[Smer]]
-| before_party = [[Independent politician|Independent]]
-| after_election = [[Robert Fico]]
-| after_party = [[Smer]]
 }}
 Early parliamentary elections were held in the [[Slovakia|Slovak Republic]] on 30 September 2023 to elect members of the [[National Council (Slovakia)|National Council]]. Regular elections were scheduled to be held in 2024. However, on 15 December 2022 the [[Cabinet of Eduard Heger|government]] lost a [[no-confidence]] vote.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Janiček |first1=Karel |title=Slovak coalition government collapses after losing no-confidence vote in parliament |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/slovak-coalition-government-collapses-after-losing-no-confidence-vote-in-parliament |website=PBS |access-date=28 January 2023 |date=15 December 2022 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208084503/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/slovak-coalition-government-collapses-after-losing-no-confidence-vote-in-parliament |url-status=live }}</ref> Subsequently, the National Council amended the Constitution so that an early election could be held on 30 September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kahn |first=Michael |date=22 January 2023 |editor-last=Lawson |editor-first=Hugh |title=Slovakia's former coalition heads agree to early parliamentary elections |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-former-coalition-heads-agree-early-parliamentary-elections-2023-01-22/ |access-date=24 September 2023 |website=Reuters |archive-date=30 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230930234304/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-former-coalition-heads-agree-early-parliamentary-elections-2023-01-22/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This was the first snap election in the country since [[2012 Slovak parliamentary election|2012]].
@@ Line 728: / Line 737: @@
 |party2=[[Progressive Slovakia]]|votes2=533136|seats2=32|sc2=+32
 |party3=[[Voice – Social Democracy]]|votes3=436415|seats3=27|sc3=New
-|party4=[[OĽaNO and Friends]]|votes4=264137|seats4=16|sc4=–49
+|party4=[[OĽaNO and Friends]]|votes4=264137|seats4=16|sc4=–48
 |party5=[[Christian Democratic Movement]]|color5={{party color|Christian Democratic Movement (2021)}}|votes5=202515|seats5=12|sc5=+12
 |party6=[[Freedom and Solidarity]]|color6={{party color|Freedom and Solidarity (2023)}}|votes6=	187645|seats6=11|sc6=–2
@@ Line 952: / Line 961: @@
 == Aftermath ==
-As analysts predicted, [[Peter Pellegrini]]'s Hlas-SD played the role of kingmaker in the "jockeying" that characterized the election's aftermath.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nicholson |first1=Tom |title=Coalition jockeying revs up in Slovakia after Fico's victory |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-election-prime-minister-robert-fico-smer-hlas-patience-coalition/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |agency=Politico |date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001153622/https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-election-prime-minister-robert-fico-smer-hlas-patience-coalition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two viable coalitions emerged: one consisting of Fico's Smer-SD, Hlas-SD, and [[Slovak National Party|SNS]]; the other of Hlas-SD, [[Progressive Slovakia|PS]], [[Christian Democratic Movement|KDH]], and [[Freedom and Solidarity|SaS]]. On 2 October 2023, two days after the election, president [[Zuzana Čaputová]] tasked [[Robert Fico]], as the leader of the now-largest parliamentary party, with forming a government within 14 days. On 3 October, she held "informal discussions" with PS's leader [[Michal Šimečka]] about the possibility of a PS-led coalition before meeting with Pellegrini and KDH's Milan Majerský. Following this meeting, [[Peter Pellegrini]] stated that his party was not ruling out either coalition.
+As analysts predicted, [[Peter Pellegrini]]'s Hlas-SD played the role of kingmaker in the "jockeying" that characterized the election's aftermath.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nicholson |first1=Tom |title=Coalition jockeying revs up in Slovakia after Fico's victory |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-election-prime-minister-robert-fico-smer-hlas-patience-coalition/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |agency=Politico |date=1 October 2023 |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001153622/https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-election-prime-minister-robert-fico-smer-hlas-patience-coalition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Two viable coalitions emerged: one consisting of Fico's Smer-SD, Hlas-SD, and [[Slovak National Party|SNS]]; the other of Hlas-SD, [[Progressive Slovakia|PS]], [[Christian Democratic Movement|KDH]], and [[Freedom and Solidarity|SaS]]. On 2 October 2023, two days after the election, president [[Zuzana Čaputová]] tasked Fico, as the leader of the now-largest parliamentary party, with forming a government within 14 days. On 3 October, she held "informal discussions" with PS's leader [[Michal Šimečka]] about the possibility of a PS-led coalition before meeting with Pellegrini and KDH's Milan Majerský. Following this meeting, Pellegrini stated that his party was not ruling out either coalition.
-According to SNS leader [[Andrej Danko]], the ensuing negotiations revolved around [[Peter Pellegrini]]'s future role. [[Robert Fico]] allegedly offered Pellegrini the role of Speaker of the [[National Council (Slovakia)|National Council]], while [[Michal Šimečka]] was willing to support [[Peter Pellegrini]] for Prime Minister in exchange for PS receiving the Ministry of the Interior.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bilás |first1=Zsuzsanna |title=Pellegrini nem kapkodja el a döntést, félidőnél jár a Smer kormányalakítási megbízása |url=https://napunk.dennikn.sk/hu/3614986/pellegrini-nem-kapkodja-el-a-dontest-felidonel-jar-a-smer-kormanyalakitasi-megbizasa/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |agency=Napunk |date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012071414/https://napunk.dennikn.sk/hu/3614986/pellegrini-nem-kapkodja-el-a-dontest-felidonel-jar-a-smer-kormanyalakitasi-megbizasa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 10 October, Hlas-SD announced that it had rejected PS's offer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ibos |first1=Emese |title=A Hlas elutasította a Progresszív Szlovákia ajánlatát. Már biztos, hogy Fico alakít kormányt |url=https://napunk.dennikn.sk/hu/3617552/a-hlas-elutasitotta-a-progressziv-szlovakia-ajanlatat-mar-biztos-hogy-fico-alakit-kormanyt/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |agency=Napunk |date=10 October 2023 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011013045/https://napunk.dennikn.sk/hu/3617552/a-hlas-elutasitotta-a-progressziv-szlovakia-ajanlatat-mar-biztos-hogy-fico-alakit-kormanyt/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Slovakian kingmaker backs Fico coalition, vows foreign policy continuity |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-hlas-party-prefers-forming-government-with-ex-pm-fico-2023-10-10/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |work=Reuters |date=10 October 2023 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011012251/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-hlas-party-prefers-forming-government-with-ex-pm-fico-2023-10-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 11 October, Smer-SD, Hlas-SD, and SNS ratified their coalition agreement, according to which they were to receive 6, 7, and 3 ministerial portfolios, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nicholson |first1=Tom |last2=Hülsemann |first2=Laura |title=New government emerges in Slovakia, with Robert Fico as prime minister |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-robert-fico-elections-as-prime-minister/ |access-date=11 October 2023 |agency=Politico |date=11 October 2023 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011164104/https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-robert-fico-elections-as-prime-minister/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Hancock | first=Sam | title=Slovakia elections: Populist winner signs deal to form coalition government | website=BBC News | date=11 October 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67085070 | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Hovet | first=Jason | title=Slovakia's populist ex-PM Fico seals coalition deal for new government | website=Reuters | date=16 October 2023 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-smer-party-sign-agreement-forming-new-government-monday-2023-10-16/ | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref>
+According to SNS leader [[Andrej Danko]], the ensuing negotiations revolved around Pellegrini's future role. Fico allegedly offered Pellegrini the role of Speaker of the [[National Council (Slovakia)|National Council]], while Šimečka was willing to support Pellegrini for Prime Minister in exchange for PS receiving the Ministry of the Interior.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bilás |first1=Zsuzsanna |title=Pellegrini nem kapkodja el a döntést, félidőnél jár a Smer kormányalakítási megbízása |url=https://napunk.dennikn.sk/hu/3614986/pellegrini-nem-kapkodja-el-a-dontest-felidonel-jar-a-smer-kormanyalakitasi-megbizasa/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |agency=Napunk |date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012071414/https://napunk.dennikn.sk/hu/3614986/pellegrini-nem-kapkodja-el-a-dontest-felidonel-jar-a-smer-kormanyalakitasi-megbizasa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 10 October, Hlas-SD announced that it had rejected PS's offer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ibos |first1=Emese |title=A Hlas elutasította a Progresszív Szlovákia ajánlatát. Már biztos, hogy Fico alakít kormányt |url=https://napunk.dennikn.sk/hu/3617552/a-hlas-elutasitotta-a-progressziv-szlovakia-ajanlatat-mar-biztos-hogy-fico-alakit-kormanyt/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |agency=Napunk |date=10 October 2023 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011013045/https://napunk.dennikn.sk/hu/3617552/a-hlas-elutasitotta-a-progressziv-szlovakia-ajanlatat-mar-biztos-hogy-fico-alakit-kormanyt/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Slovakian kingmaker backs Fico coalition, vows foreign policy continuity |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-hlas-party-prefers-forming-government-with-ex-pm-fico-2023-10-10/ |access-date=10 October 2023 |work=Reuters |date=10 October 2023 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011012251/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-hlas-party-prefers-forming-government-with-ex-pm-fico-2023-10-10/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 11 October, Smer-SD, Hlas-SD, and SNS ratified their coalition agreement, according to which they were to receive 6, 7, and 3 ministerial portfolios, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nicholson |first1=Tom |last2=Hülsemann |first2=Laura |title=New government emerges in Slovakia, with Robert Fico as prime minister |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-robert-fico-elections-as-prime-minister/ |access-date=11 October 2023 |agency=Politico |date=11 October 2023 |archive-date=11 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231011164104/https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-robert-fico-elections-as-prime-minister/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Hancock | first=Sam | title=Slovakia elections: Populist winner signs deal to form coalition government | website=BBC News | date=11 October 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67085070 | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Hovet | first=Jason | title=Slovakia's populist ex-PM Fico seals coalition deal for new government | website=Reuters | date=16 October 2023 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakias-smer-party-sign-agreement-forming-new-government-monday-2023-10-16/ | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref>
-On 12 October, the [[Party of European Socialists]] (PES) suspended [[Direction – Social Democracy|Smer-SD]] and [[Voice – Social Democracy|Hlas-SD]] over their plans to enter into coalition with SNS, which the PES views as a "radical-right party."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wax |first1=Eddy |last2=Barigazzi |first2=Jacopo |last3=Jochecová |first3=Ketrin |date=12 October 2023 |title=European socialists suspend Robert Fico's Smer party and its ally Hlas |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/european-socialists-suspent-robert-fico-smer-hlas-party/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012163715/https://www.politico.eu/article/european-socialists-suspent-robert-fico-smer-hlas-party/ |archive-date=12 October 2023}}</ref> One week later, on 19 October, [[Zuzana Čaputová]] announced she would not approve the coalition government's nominee for Minister of Environment, Rudolf Huliak (SNS), due to his avowed [[climate change denial]]ism. This delayed the swearing-in of the new government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jochecová |first1=Ketrin |title=Slovakia's president refuses to back climate change denier as environment minister |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-president-zuzana-caputova-robert-fico-rudolf-huliak-climate-change-denier-as-environment-minister/ |access-date=25 October 2023 |publisher=Politico |date=19 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Slovakia president rejects nomination of opponent of climate change policy as environment minister | website=AP News | date=19 October 2023 | url=https://apnews.com/article/slovakia-climate-skeptic-environment-minister-reject-7b955de8eb32c155bcad4595d1676b67 | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Slovakia president sets condition to appoint ex-PM Fico's cabinet | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakia-president-sets-condition-appoint-ex-pm-ficos-cabinet-2023-10-20/ | date=20 October 2023 | work=Reuters | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref> After the coalition partners replaced Rudolf Huliak with [[Tomáš Taraba]] (SNS) as their nominee for the post, [[Zuzana Čaputová]] accepted the coalition's government. She swore in the [[Fico's Fourth Cabinet|new government]], with [[Robert Fico]] at its helm, on 25 October.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jochacová |first1=Ketrin |title=Robert Fico to become Slovakia's new prime minister |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/robert-fico-become-slovakia-new-prime-minister/ |access-date=25 October 2023 |publisher=Politico |date=24 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="SwearsInAPNews2023">{{cite web | title=Slovakia swears in a new Cabinet led by a populist ex-premier who opposes support for Ukraine | website=AP News | date=25 October 2023 | url=https://apnews.com/article/slovakia-new-government-fico-ukraine-bfe5f251d3a3b75e72ccee60f7c591b3 | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Henley | first=Jon | title=Slovakia's new prime minister Robert Fico to attend EU summit | website=the Guardian | date=25 October 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/25/slovakia-prime-minister-robert-fico-attend-european-union-summit | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref>
+On 12 October, the [[Party of European Socialists]] (PES) suspended [[Direction – Social Democracy|Smer-SD]] and [[Voice – Social Democracy|Hlas-SD]] over their plans to enter into coalition with SNS, which the PES views as a "radical-right party."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wax |first1=Eddy |last2=Barigazzi |first2=Jacopo |last3=Jochecová |first3=Ketrin |date=12 October 2023 |title=European socialists suspend Robert Fico's Smer party and its ally Hlas |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/european-socialists-suspent-robert-fico-smer-hlas-party/ |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012163715/https://www.politico.eu/article/european-socialists-suspent-robert-fico-smer-hlas-party/ |archive-date=12 October 2023}}</ref> One week later, on 19 October, Čaputová announced she would not approve the coalition government's nominee for Minister of Environment, Rudolf Huliak (SNS), due to his avowed [[climate change denial]]ism. This delayed the swearing-in of the new government.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jochecová |first1=Ketrin |title=Slovakia's president refuses to back climate change denier as environment minister |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/slovakia-president-zuzana-caputova-robert-fico-rudolf-huliak-climate-change-denier-as-environment-minister/ |access-date=25 October 2023 |publisher=Politico |date=19 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Slovakia president rejects nomination of opponent of climate change policy as environment minister | website=AP News | date=19 October 2023 | url=https://apnews.com/article/slovakia-climate-skeptic-environment-minister-reject-7b955de8eb32c155bcad4595d1676b67 | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Slovakia president sets condition to appoint ex-PM Fico's cabinet | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/slovakia-president-sets-condition-appoint-ex-pm-ficos-cabinet-2023-10-20/ | date=20 October 2023 | work=Reuters | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref> After the coalition partners replaced Huliak with [[Tomáš Taraba]] (also SNS) as their nominee for the post, Čaputová accepted the coalition's government. She swore in the [[Fico's Fourth Cabinet|new government]], with Fico at its helm, on 25 October.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jochacová |first1=Ketrin |title=Robert Fico to become Slovakia's new prime minister |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/robert-fico-become-slovakia-new-prime-minister/ |access-date=25 October 2023 |publisher=Politico |date=24 October 2023}}</ref><ref name="SwearsInAPNews2023">{{cite web | title=Slovakia swears in a new Cabinet led by a populist ex-premier who opposes support for Ukraine | website=AP News | date=25 October 2023 | url=https://apnews.com/article/slovakia-new-government-fico-ukraine-bfe5f251d3a3b75e72ccee60f7c591b3 | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Henley | first=Jon | title=Slovakia's new prime minister Robert Fico to attend EU summit | website=the Guardian | date=25 October 2023 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/25/slovakia-prime-minister-robert-fico-attend-european-union-summit | access-date=25 October 2023}}</ref>
 ==Notes==

v t e Elections and referendums in Slovakia
Parliamentary elections	1928 1935 1938 1946 1948 1954 1960 1964 1971 1976 1981 1986 1990 1992 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2012 2016 2020 2023 Next
Presidential elections	1999 2004 2009 2014 2019 2024
Regional elections	2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 2022
Local elections	1923 1928 1935 1994 1998 2002 2006 2010 2014 2018 2022
European elections	2004 2009 2014 2019 2024
Referendums	1994 1997 1998 2000 2003 2004 2010 2015 2023
See also: Elections in Austria-Hungary Czechoslovakia