Slovak President Zuzana Caputova has appointed Robert Fico as the new prime minister. This is the fourth time Fico has taken up the post.
What is Robert Fico Known For?
Robert Fico is a leader of Smer party (Direction-Social Democracy) and media often refers to him as “Slovak Orban” – despite ideological differences, both politicians harshly defend national interests of their countries and people.
Fico vowed to stop military supplies to Ukraine citing poor condition of Slovakian army, which exhausted its reserves supporting Kiev.
“We have no combat aircraft, no air defense system, and not enough ammunition," he said during a press conference ahead of the elections.
Fico added that he did not believe Ukraine had any chances to win and that’s why arms for Kiev regime only meant the prolongation of the conflict.
He also lambasted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky for greeting WW2 Waffen SS veteran Yaroslav Hunka in Canadian parliament.
Robert Fico is also known for his repulsion towards mainstream media, sometimes even refusing to talk to them.
Is Fico Pro-Russian Politician?
Mainstream media often dub Robert Fico "pro-Russian populist," however as Hungarian foreign policy senior analyst Gabor Stier told Sputnik, Fico simply protects the interests of Slovakia and its people who are suffering from “neoliberalism and the liberal economic approach” of his predecessors.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was first to congratulate Fico with victory and stressed that he would be pleased to work with a 'true patriot'. Orban and Fico share stances on many issues, including disdain towards neoliberal agenda and the Ukrainian crisis.