In a striking endorsement of authoritarian governance, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has used an official visit to Uzbekistan to call for a fundamental overhaul of Slovakia’s democratic system, proposing a reduction in the number of political parties to increase governmental efficiency. Speaking from Tashkent, Fico praised the centralised political models of Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and China—states ruled by single-party or tightly controlled regimes—as economically superior to multi-party democracies like Slovakia’s. While affirming the principle of free parliamentary elections, the Prime Minister argued that coalition governments formed from numerous political parties lack continuity and competitiveness, citing the leadership of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as an example of “wise and strong” governance. The remarks mark Fico’s latest public challenge to the liberal democratic norms of the European Union, of which Slovakia is a member, and come amid growing domestic and international concerns over his administration’s alignment with autocratic states and repeated attacks on institutional checks, civil society, and media independence.
During an official visit to Uzbekistan, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico called for a fundamental reform of Slovakia’s political system. Addressing a gathering in the Central Asian republic, Fico argued that the model of governance based on broad multi-party coalitions is increasingly unfit for long-term competitiveness and state continuity. He used the occasion to express admiration for the political systems of Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and China, which he described as economically efficient and governed by strong, centralised leadership.
The Slovak Republic, a member of the European Union and NATO, operates under a parliamentary democracy characterised by proportional representation and a relatively high number of political parties. According to Fico, this system inhibits effective governance. The Prime Minister specifically criticised governments composed of multiple coalition partners, suggesting they are structurally incapable of delivering long-term strategic outcomes. He stated that excessive political fragmentation undermines a country’s ability to compete with more centralised regimes.
Fico praised the governance model of Uzbekistan under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, portraying it as an example of leadership rooted in strength, wisdom, and continuity. He drew a direct comparison between the so-called “successes” of this model and what he sees as institutional instability in Europe’s liberal democracies. Although he reiterated his support for free parliamentary elections in Slovakia, Fico indicated that the current democratic structure—marked by numerous parties—should be replaced with a more streamlined political environment.
The Prime Minister described the trajectory of Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and China as a highly effective economic path, and contended that European democracies are at risk of falling behind if they fail to reconsider their political frameworks. He argued that Western democracies risk becoming marginalised if they continue to approach governance with what he described as self-importance and an unwillingness to learn from alternative systems. In this context, he called for Slovakia to begin discussing systemic reform to enhance governmental effectiveness.
Fico also raised concerns about a lack of continuity in state administration under the current Slovak system, where frequent changes in governing coalitions can lead to inconsistent policies and disruptions in long-term planning. This, he implied, stands in contrast to the perceived political stability of more authoritarian regimes. Concluding his remarks, he congratulated Uzbekistan on its development under President Mirziyoyev, citing it as an example of successful governance that others might consider emulating.
Source: Denník N
