The Smer-SD party needs to continue with the next generation of politicians, the education of “new cadres” is a task for the next two or three years. This was announced by the head of Smer-SD and Prime Minister Robert Fico during a speech to the Diet on the 25th anniversary of the founding of the party. He does not want Smer-SD to end up like HZDS or SDKÚ. He also added that the world is changing and one must be prepared for changes in the EU or NATO. He emphasized that his government wants to make financial efforts to ensure that people do not feel any increase in energy prices in 2025. He also spoke about the possibility of state regulatory measures.
Smer-SD called Fico the most successful political entity in the modern history of Slovakia. He recalled that before and after the parliamentary elections in 2020, he considered ending his political career. But subsequently, according to him, events occurred that forced him to “raise the flag”. Fico also added that many expected his departure from the political scene even after his assassination in May of this year.
“As we raised the flag together in 2020, I publicly call on everyone, let’s raise the Smer-SD flag now too,” he told fellow party members. He considers the assassination to be proof of a fundamental change in the quality of Slovak politics. According to him, in the last election period, there was a lack of fair democratic competition, but it was a period of power politics or abuse of the “street”.
Fico said that a period is coming in the world in which anything can happen and Smer-SD must offer a Slovak alternative approach to change. Therefore, it offers an alternative to a patriotic, sovereign foreign policy, as well as an orientation towards all four corners of the world. “If we are flexible and not ossified, I believe we will be able to respond to challenges,” he said.
He also focused on the functioning of the EU, he does not agree that the Union should fold for the war in Ukraine. He reiterated that he welcomes all peace plans to end the war. He reminded that Smer-SD still has suspended membership in the party of European Socialists. “I am in favor of an open discussion with my friends in the party of European socialists, but we do not want to deviate from the path of social democracy,” he added.
Fico’s party announces that it will be in a “material conflict” with the so-called mainstream media and foreign-funded NGOs. He considers the conflict to be inevitable, but it must be conducted with democratic tools.
