Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has openly aligned himself with Prime Minister Robert Fico’s escalating campaign against civil society, casting doubt on his political neutrality and Slovakia’s democratic future. In a recent interview, Pellegrini dismissed U.S.-backed efforts to promote democracy and fight corruption, stating his expectation that the next American ambassador would avoid “fights for democracy” and not turn the U.S. embassy into “a nest for regular meetings of various non-profit organisations.” His remarks echo Fico’s ongoing hostility toward NGOs and independent media, which has intensified through legislative efforts to suppress civic participation. Although Pellegrini’s former party, HLAS-SD, was founded as a moderate alternative to Fico’s radicalising SMER following the 2018 murder of journalist Ján Kuciak, it now mirrors Fico’s right-wing populist agenda. As Pellegrini faces mounting scrutiny over his political impartiality—amid protests, foreign policy controversies, and covert diplomatic manoeuvres—Slovakia’s commitments to the EU and NATO are increasingly under pressure from within its own leadership.
In a recent radio interview, President Peter Pellegrini expressed his hope that the next U.S. ambassador to Slovakia would maintain closer communication with the government and state officials rather than engaging extensively with civil society organisations. Pellegrini stated: “I expect an ambassador who will not get entangled in fights for democracy, against corruption, and all sorts of things. Ultimately, it turns out that the American administration under Donald Trump firmly rejects this and is horrified by where billions of euros from the United States have flowed.” He also warned that the U.S. embassy should not become “a nest for regular meetings of various non-profit organisations” or attempt to “influence the political situation,” though he provided no specific examples to support his claims.
Alignment with Fico’s Hostility Toward Civil Society
Pellegrini’s stance reflects a broader alignment with Prime Minister Robert Fico’s critical approach towards non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Slovakia. Although Pellegrini’s former party, HLAS-SD—which he founded and led into elections—was initially established as a more moderate alternative to the increasingly radical Fico-led SMER party, particularly after SMER’s political downfall following the 2018 murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak, their current trajectory tells a different story.
Despite presenting themselves as a social democratic force, HLAS-SD’s political stance has increasingly aligned with the right-wing populist agenda of Fico. This alignment is evident in their shared hostility toward civil society. In November 2024, Fico’s coalition partner, the Slovak National Party (SNS), introduced legislation imposing severe restrictions on civil society groups. The proposed law features vague lobbying rules and burdensome reporting requirements, which legal experts and advocacy groups argue are designed to suppress civic participation and undermine democratic principles.
Pellegrini’s remarks suggest tacit approval of this government-led clampdown on civil society. His comments mirror Fico’s broader hostility toward NGOs and independent media, including accusations that outlets such as Denník Sme are financially influenced by foreign entities. Fico has framed critical reporting as “anti-Slovak,” intensifying pressure on independent media and further threatening democratic freedoms in the country.
Mounting Scrutiny of Pellegrini’s Political Neutrality
Since assuming office in June 2024, Pellegrini has faced increasing scrutiny regarding his political impartiality due to his reported ongoing ties with his former party, HLAS-SD. His presidency has been marred by controversial statements on foreign policy, including a December 2024 comment suggesting Ukraine should accept territorial losses to achieve peace—an assertion that drew sharp criticism from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
Domestically, his tenure coincides with significant public unrest, exemplified by protests involving over 120,000 Slovaks opposing Prime Minister Fico’s government. His diplomatic credibility also suffered following reports that his advisor, Ján Kubiš, held an undisclosed meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in late 2024, bypassing official diplomatic channels.
Despite these controversies, Pellegrini reaffirmed Slovakia’s commitment to the European Union and NATO in January 2025. This declaration followed provocative statements by a senior ally of Prime Minister Fico, who hinted at a potential withdrawal from these alliances. Pellegrini cited the 2024 Memorandum on Foreign Policy as the guiding framework for Slovakia’s international commitments.
https://dennikn.sk/minuta/4484329?utm_source=pocket_sharedSource: Denník N
