(VIDEO) ROBERT FICO BUILT HIS PARTY ON PUTIN’S MODEL 20 YEARS AGO: A SOBERING PROFILE BY SLOVAKIA’S FOREMOST POLITICAL EXPERT

Marián Leško | Source: Denník N

Marián Leško, Slovakia’s leading political commentator who has followed Robert Fico’s career from its inception, offers a scathing analysis of the politician’s trajectory. Robert Fico, Slovakia’s long-serving political figure, embodies a leader without ideological roots, driven solely by an ambition to wield power at any cost. Once an admirer of Vladimir Putin and now a self-styled social democrat, Fico’s shifting stances mask a descent into far-right ideology, leveraging divisive rhetoric and perpetual campaigning to maintain dominance. His controversial visit to Moscow showcased his alignment with Kremlin propaganda, while his anti-EU and NATO language mirrors autocrats like Putin and Orbán. By undermining Slovakia’s alliances and exploiting conspiratorial narratives, Fico endangers democratic norms and the nation’s geopolitical integrity, prioritising personal survival over national governance.

Fico’s Shapeshifting Identity
Marián Leško characterises Robert Fico as a “chameleon,” whose political trajectory lacks a steadfast ideological core. From admiring Vladimir Putin’s party during the early days of SMER-SD, Fico has since rebranded as a proponent of Slovak social democracy. Leško argues, however, that Fico’s current positions lean heavily towards far-right ideology, contradicting the values traditionally associated with social democracy. This flexibility serves one purpose: to secure and sustain power.

Leško critiques Fico’s actions as emblematic of a politician motivated by electoral gain rather than a vision for governance. His methods, described as a “permanent electoral campaign,” centre on portraying himself as a defender against external adversaries, employing rhetoric commonly associated with authoritarian figures like Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orbán.

The Moscow Connection and EU-NATO Contradictions
Leško highlights Fico’s visit to Moscow during his tenure as Slovak Prime Minister, underscoring its propagandistic significance. The visit, framed as homage to Vladimir Putin, was exploited by Russian state media to showcase Fico as a European leader acknowledging Russian power. This episode typifies Fico’s dual-faced foreign policy: maintaining Slovakia’s EU and NATO membership while echoing anti-Western narratives.

Fico’s terminology, such as referring to the EU and NATO as the “so-called democratic world,” aligns with Kremlin-style propaganda. By framing Western institutions as hostile forces, Fico fosters domestic scepticism of Slovakia’s alliances, fuelling narratives of victimhood and external conspiracy.

Implications for Slovakia’s Democracy
The commentary raises critical questions about Fico’s long-term impact on Slovakia’s democratic institutions. By prioritising personal and electoral interests over national governance, his approach undermines public trust in democratic norms. The adoption of divisive, populist rhetoric risks eroding Slovakia’s credibility within the European Union and NATO, threatening its geopolitical alignment.

Leško’s analysis underscores a broader warning: leaders like Fico exemplify the dangers of political opportunism. While adaptable strategies may ensure personal political survival, they often come at the expense of democratic resilience and strategic clarity.

Source: Denník N