Time in government
16 years • 3 weeks • 3 days
Slovakia SMER: Latest polls, election results and positions
Election Trend
16.9 %
-6.0 since the last election
Last Election
22.9 %
Election 2023 · 42 Seats
3-Month Trend
-1.4
Three months ago: 18.3 %
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Direction – Social Democracy
NI
Slovakia
Social Democratic
Eurosceptic
Founded 1999
SMER – sociálna demokracia is a left-populist and national-conservative party in Slovakia. It combines traditional social democratic economic policies with a strong emphasis on national sovereignty and socially conservative values.
Values and Ideology
SMER's foundation is built on 'pragmatic socialism,' which places a strong state at its core, acting as the protector of its citizens. Its worldview is characterized by pronounced patriotism and the defense of national interests against supranational institutions like the EU. While economically advocating for redistribution and social security, on societal issues – such as migration or minority rights – it adopts a distinctly conservative and often illiberal stance, diverging significantly from Western left-liberal standards.
Political Priorities
The party's agenda focuses on preserving the welfare state, ensuring higher pensions, and implementing state price controls to secure the quality of life for its core electorate in rural areas and among the working class. In foreign policy, it advocates a 'multi-vector approach,' which often implies a departure from unconditional Western alignment and a rapprochement with Russian positions. It specifically targets voters who feel disenfranchised by globalization and neoliberalism and yearn for order and national identity.
Role in the Political System
Strategically, SMER operates as a power-driven actor, often viewing the institutions of the rule of law as impediments to the will of the majority. The party employs sharp rhetoric against the media, non-governmental organizations, and the judiciary to consolidate its power base. Within Slovakia's political system, it assumes the role of a dominant force, utilizing polarization as a tool to mobilize its supporters and position itself as the sole defender of the 'common people' against a perceived liberal elite.
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SMER: Key issues and ideological profile
SMER
Other Parties
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Topic
Salience
Position 2024
Position 2019
Question
Stance
Economy & State
Should income and wealth be redistributed?
Advocates moderate redistribution in favor of social justice.
Stance
How should the state manage its available budget?
Leans slightly more towards investment than saving.
Stance
Should the local economy be protected?
Advocates clear priority for local economy and protectionism.
Stance
Society & Values
What is more important: freedom or security?
Advocates strong security measures, even at the cost of personal freedoms.
Stance
Should the equality of women be promoted?
Considers additional support unnecessary.
Stance
Should LGBTQ+ equality be advanced?
Clearly rejects state equality measures.
Stance
Should same-sex marriage be allowed?
Strictly rejects same-sex marriage.
Stance
What role should religions play in politics?
Accepts limited influence of religious values.
Stance
Should policy focus on urban or rural areas?
Prioritizes rural regions and their development.
Stance
Environment & Globalization
What is more important: environmental protection or economy?
Prioritizes economic growth over ecological goals.
Stance
What is more important: climate protection or economy?
Prioritizes economic growth over climate protection.
Stance
Migration & Integration
How should immigration policy be regulated?
Advocates strict immigration rules and limited immigration.
Stance
How should immigrant integration be shaped?
Desires a culturally homogeneous society with clear guiding cultures.
Stance
Should ethnic minorities be granted more rights?
Advocates legal equality without specific minority promotion.
Stance
What role should nation-states play?
Wants strong, independent nation-states with clear borders.
Stance
Democracy & Institutions
How should power be distributed?
Advocates clear, central leadership for the leader.
Stance
How independent should the judiciary be?
Tends towards state influence on the judiciary.
Stance
How should the state be organized: centralized or federal?
Tends towards a more centralized administration.
Stance
Election
Vote share
Seats
2023
September 30, 2023
Vote share
22.9 %
+4.6
Seats
42
+4
2020
February 29, 2020
Vote share
18.3 %
-10.0
Seats
38
-11
2016
March 5, 2016
Vote share
28.3 %
-16.1
Seats
49
-34
2012
March 10, 2012
Best result
Vote share
44.4 %
+9.6
Seats
83
+21
2010
June 12, 2010
Vote share
34.8 %
+5.7
Seats
62
+12
2006
June 17, 2006
Vote share
29.1 %
+15.6
Seats
50
+25
2002
September 21, 2002
Worst result
Vote share
13.5 %
Seats
25
All elections since 1945 in which SMER participated. Click a row to see election details.
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
2025
Today
Led government
Involved in government
Not in government
Share since 1990
41 %
Cabinets led
6
16 years • 3 weeks • 3 days
Coalition involvements
0
-
Robert Fico
Fico IV
October 25, 2023 – Today · 2 years 9 months
79 of 150 seats
Pellegrini
March 22, 2018 – March 21, 2020 · 1 year 11 months
64 of 150 seats
Fico IV
September 1, 2016 – March 22, 2018 · 1 year 6 months
64 of 150 seats
Fico III
March 23, 2016 – September 1, 2016 · 5 months 9 days
64 of 150 seats
Fico II
April 4, 2012 – March 23, 2016 · 3 years 11 months
83 of 150 seats
Fico I
July 4, 2006 – July 8, 2010 · 4 years 4 days
85 of 150 seats
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