BRATISLAVA – Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has revived the idea of postponing Slovakia’s local and regional elections from 2026 to 2027 – a proposal that has sparked confusion among local authorities and raised suspicions even within his own coalition.
Speaking at his Smer–SD party congress over the weekend, Fico said it would be “best for the whole of Slovakia” to extend the four-year mandates of mayors, village heads and regional governors so that local elections take place after the next parliamentary vote.
Although he has suggested it before, this is his most direct call yet, urging local government associations to consider it, and it is causing a stir in Slovak political life this week.
Analysts and opposition figures believe the move may aim to distract from his government’s controversial fiscal consolidation package or to buy time amid declining support.
Recent polls place Smer seven points behind the opposition Progressive Slovakia.
Some also see the proposal as part of a broader strategy – following a recent constitutional amendment that defined two genders, curtailed LGBTQ+ rights and asserted Slovak legal primacy over EU law in cultural matters.
Pushback from within the coalition
President Peter Pellegrini, usually an ally of his PM has asked Fico to explain his reasoning, warning that if the motives are “purely political or tactical”, such constitutional changes should not proceed.
The idea also failed to impress Hlas-SD – Pellegrini’s party and the second largest in the coalition. Deputy chair Erik Tomáš cited the stance of local governments, while party leader Matúš Šutaj Eštok said that without opposition interest, “there’s no point in such a debate.”
The opposition Christian Democrats (KDH) – who recently backed Fico’s controversial anti-LGBTQ+ amendment – have already rejected the proposal.
Progressive Slovakia’s Ivan Korčok offered a pointed alternative: “If the prime minister is so eager to merge elections, let’s merge the parliamentary and local ones next year. That way, Slovakia will save money – and one year of decline under his government.”
Regions and mayors push back
All three major associations – SK8 (Self-Governing Regions), ZMOS (Towns and Villages) and ÚMS (Union of Cities) – reacted with scepticism or resistance.
SK8 called for transparent dialogue and clear justification while Richard Rybníček, president of the ÚMS, dismissed the idea as “a practical absurdity that would only bring chaos” and ZMOS president Jozef Božík voiced personal opposition to changing rules mid-term.
But for as political scientist Juraj Marušiak of the Slovak Academy of Sciences pointed out to Pravda.sk, any postponement would require a constitutional amendment – and thus opposition votes, which Fico is unlikely to secure.
(cs)