Robert Fico and His Politics of Revenge: Autocratization in Slovakia
Robert Fico and His Politics of Revenge Autocratization in Slovakia

Summary/Abstract: In autumn 2023, Robert Fico returned to power in Slovakia for the fourth time. One year into office, the government led by Fico has seemingly embarked on the Hungarian path of autocratization. The government has decriminalised corruption and destroyed the country’s anti-corruption structures, exerted increasing influence on the judiciary, reformed the public media services, and increased pressure on NGOs and independent media. Yet while Fico seems to emulate the Hungarian and Polish authoritarian playbook, his increasingly illiberal rule is more strategic, driven by self-protection and revenge on perceived enemies. Meanwhile, the European Commission has adopted a wait-and-see approach and seems not to have learned from the Hungarian and Polish cases.

• Details
• Contents