With momentum building and elections on the horizon, Progressive Slovakia used its party congress this past weekend in Trnava to announce itself as the leading challenger ready to win the next elections.
Michal Šimečka was re-elected as party leader and used his speech to launch Progressive Slovakia’s strategy for the 2027 election and declare his intention to replace Robert Fico as Prime Minister.
"I want this parliament to send a strong message. In the next elections, together with our partners, we will defeat Fico. I applied for the mandate with the only possible ambition: to win the elections and form a better government for Slovakia as Prime Minister. Robert Fico has nothing to offer Slovaks and the only thing left for him in the campaign is to spread fear and restrict voting rights.”
"I want to announce that Progressive Slovakia is taking a clear strategic step today. We are going to focus on the problem of rising living costs. We are starting with the biggest expense of our households: housing."
You can read Šimečka’s plan to solve the worsening housing crisis here.
He noted that the current government has allowed democratic backsliding, increased pro-Russian rhetoric, blocked military aid to Ukraine, harmed media freedom and been involved in corruption scandals. High costs of living have also contributed to a rise in societal polarisation.
By moving toward economic issues, Progressive Slovakia aims to address social frustrations through practical policy proposals to reduce living and energy costs, support economic growth, fight corruption and strengthen the rule of law.
The Congress also elected a new Bureau, with various elected members giving comments.
Vice-President of the European Parliament, Martin Hojsik MEP warned that:
“Slovakia today is not facing a single challenge. It is facing a whole set of decisions that will determine whether we embark on the path of a modern, open and self-confident state – or whether we allow ourselves to be drawn back into the politics of fear, conflict and shortsightedness.”
Vice-President of the European Liberal Forum, Lucia Yar MEP noted:
“I believe in progress that goes hand in hand with social feeling. I want to strengthen these values in political work and in the party leadership: to bring strategic thinking from European politics and connect every corner of the country with big cities and to transform visions into policies.”
With reports of possible foreign interference in previous Slovak elections and growing geopolitical tensions in the region, the 2027 vote is expected to attract significant international attention. The election will be decisive for Slovakia’s future EU ties, support for Ukraine and its democratic institutions.
Liberals are ready to fight for a future Slovakia rooted in democratic principles and freedom – starting at this year’s Congress.