Slovakia‘s PM Fico Criticized for “Fiasco” EU Gas Deal

Bratislava, slovakia – Slovak opposition leaders have strongly criticized Prime Minister Robert Fico‘s handling of European Union negotiations regarding Russian gas imports, labeling the outcome a “fiasco” that has damaged the country’s reputation.

Michal Šimečka, leader of the Progressive Slovakia (PS) party, stated on Facebook that the Brussels talks resulted in “nothing for Slovakia, just damaged our name, disgraced the country and eventually declared surrender.” He accused Fico of failing in his negotiations and attempting to involve the opposition to “deceive its voters.”

The PS party supports a unified EU approach to ending Russian gas imports by the end of 2027,arguing that such a common procedure is essential for Slovakia’s safety and prosperity in the face of Russian aggression and blackmail. Šimečka suggested that Fico should have focused on securing supplies from safe sources and negotiating favorable prices for Slovakia, rather than engaging in what he termed as distractions.

Echoing these sentiments,Branislav Gröhling,chairman of the freedom and Solidarity (SAS) party,accused Fico’s government of prioritizing “Putin and Russia’s security and value interests over the economic interests of its own citizens.” Gröhling claimed Fico had previously misled Slovaks into believing the country could not survive without Russian gas.

Prime Minister Fico, however, described the European Commission’s proposal to halt Russian gas imports by the end of 2027 as “imbecile and demagogical.” he attributed this proposal to an “unbounded obsession with Russia” and warned that it would harm Slovakia’s economy and reduce the competitiveness of the entire European Union.Fico asserted that Slovakia has no leverage to force the Commission to withdraw its proposal, despite receiving unspecified guarantees in exchange for supporting the 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions.