Slovakia’s liberals are building a stronger local base ahead of next year’s elections.
ALDE Party member Progressive Slovakia (PS) tripled its regional council representation in local elections last weekend, with candidates it supported winning 132 seats - 31% of all regional councillors.
The party also points to a growing presence across towns and municipalities, with candidates and coalition partners securing 624 municipal council mandates. Party leader Michal Šimečka welcomed the results as evidence that PS is putting down roots across Slovakia. He argued that Fico’s “power is eroding, and we must complete this change in 2027,” as national elections near closer.
Last weekend’s elections also underlined the importance of opposition cooperation. In Bratislava, PS-backed coalitions helped secure re-election for regional governor Juraj Droba and mayor Matúš Vallo, while in Prešov, PS supported Milan Majerský in his defeat of a far-right candidate.
Cooperation can help build a broader challenge to Robert Fico’s governing camp -something that liberal parties have understood across Europe when taking the fight to extremism; such as our members Momentum Mozgalom in Hungary or Movement of Free Citizens (PSG) in Serbia.
The scale of Progressive Slovakia’s local reach is reflected in the party’s figures:
- 5 regional governors elected from PS’s own or supported candidates, according to the party.
- 30 mayors and village heads elected on PS-backed tickets.
- 132 regional council seats, representing 31% of all regional councillors.
- 624 municipal council mandates for PS and its coalitions
Fico may lead Slovakia’s government, but his camp retained just two of eight regional governorships. It is a striking reminder that his grip on national politics does not automatically translate into dominance across the country.
Slovaks are looking towards Serbia after elections last weekend proved that populist illiberals can be beaten at the ballot box after all. PS delivered a rallying cry after Vučić’s defeat, saying: “After 12 years of Fico-like rule, Serbia has chosen freedom and democracy. Slovakia is next in line next year, when we defeat Fico.”
By drawing this parallel between the quashing of pro-Russian policies across Europe, liberal parties are banding together to defeat those who oppose freedom. Fico has lost another ally after both Vučić and Orbán are out of office. Commenting on the election results, the party said: “Hungary rejected Putin’s rag in the spring. Serbia yesterday. We are next.”
This election served as a crucial litmus test ahead of the parliamentary elections in a year’s time. Polls show that Progressive Slovakia currently holds a slight lead in national polling averages, ahead of Fico’s Smer-SD Party in second.
Becoming the largest collective force at regional council level gives PS a massive network of local officials to get organised. Now the work begins. With Serbia and Hungary setting the tone in Europe, Slovakia looks to be the next country to get its ruling populist party out as they prepare to challenge Fico nationally in 2027.