Slovak ruling coalition will likely stagger on for now

Significance Prime Minister Robert Fico has openly floated the idea of early elections. Personal animosities, criticism over leadership, disputes over the division of government offices and disagreements over foreign policy have all fuelled tensions in the ruling coalition, which now holds a majority of one in parliament. Impacts Fico’s pro-Russian rhetoric and his criticism of Ukraine are likely to continue. Lack of a robust majority in parliament will slow down the government’s legislative agenda. The continuation of Fico’s premiership will contribute to deeper divisions between liberal and illiberal forces in the EU.