Slovak elections may yield a broad centrist coalition

Significance

Slovakia is facing early general elections in September, with former Prime Minister Robert Fico’s Direction-Social Democracy (Smer-SD) hoping to regain power. Progressive Slovakia (PS), which originally nominated Caputova, is also building momentum.

Impacts

• Economic stability and the more effective use of EU funds will remain core government priorities after the elections.
• Smer-SD’s return to power would reduce Slovakia’s support for EU- and NATO-wide initiatives to provide assistance to Ukraine.
• A nationalist victory would endanger Slovakia’s battle with corruption.