Slovak PM Fico warns coalition could lose majority over junior-party row

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Friday his leftist-nationalist government could lose its narrow majority in parliament because of a dispute in a junior ruling party that threatens its position a year before an election.

Fico has for months been trying to quell infighting in the far-right, pro-Russian Slovak National Party (SNS).

The party’s chief, Andrej Danko, has demanded the replacement of Environment Minister Tomas Taraba, whom his party had originally nominated. Taraba has hinted that he may form a new group with other government deputies after his departure from the cabinet, which would cost Fico’s government its three-seat majority in the 150-member parliament.

“This personnel decision by the SNS leads to the loss of the parliamentary majority,” Fico said in a statement. “Therefore I am asking the SNS chairman and his Environment Minister Tomas Taraba, who have pledged support for this government, to announce guarantees for maintaining the majority.”

Fico said he would take back his proposal to sack Taraba, which he has filed with the country’s president, if there is no agreement within the party.

The infighting could, at worst, cause a government collapse, and could bring forward an election if a super-majority of parliamentarians agree. Opinion polls show the ruling parties may lose power to a host of liberal and conservative parties in an election.

Sources

• Reuters, “Slovak PM Fico says government may lose majority over spat in coalition partner”, 25 Sept 2026
• The Straits Times (Reuters wire), same date