Fico: Smer-SD Must Continue with New Generation of Politicians

Bratislava, November 17 (TASR) - The Smer-SD party must continue with a new generation of politicians, its leader and Prime Minister Robert Fico stated in a speech he delivered at a ceremonial congress held in Bratislava on Sunday to mark the 25th anniversary of the party's founding. Fico stated he didn't want Smer-SD to end up like HZDS or SDKU parties that no longer exist in their original forms. He added that the world is changing and that Slovakia must be prepared for shifts within the EU and NATO. He emphasised that his government wants to make financial efforts aimed at preventing energy price increases from impacting people in 2025. Fico also spoke about the possibility of state regulatory measures. Describing Smer-SD as the most successful political entity in the modern Slovak history, Fico reflected on his own political journey. He revealed that before and after the general election in 2020, he considered ending his career but felt compelled to continue due to the events that followed. Fico also added that many expected him to leave the political scene after the assassination attempt on him this May. He considers the assassination attempt to be evidence of a fundamental change in the quality of Slovak politics. In his view, fair democratic competition was lacking in the last electoral term. Fico outlined his vision for a patriotic, sovereign foreign policy, one that is oriented toward all four cardinal directions. He also addressed the EU's role, disagreeing with its involvement in the Ukraine war. He reiterated his support for peace plans to end the conflict and noted that Smer-SD's membership in the Party of European Socialists remains suspended. "I’m in favour of open discussions with my friends in the Party of European Socialists, but we don't want to stray from the path of social democracy," he added. Fico's party announced a "substantive conflict" with the so-called mainstream media and foreign-funded NGOs, calling it inevitable, but emphasising it must be carried out using democratic tools. tl/ko