Fico: European socialists should call themselves the gay party

The Slovak Prime Minister said on Monday that the Party of European Socialists (PES) should be called the "party of homosexuals", in response to the expulsion of his political group, SMER, for considering that it does not comply with European values.

“The PES has abandoned traditional left-wing values ​​and should be called the Party of Homosexuals and Warmongers,” declared populist Robert Fico , leader of Sociálna Demokracia (SMER), in a message posted on social media .

The head of the Slovak government was reacting in this way to the PES's decision, taken last Friday, to expel SMER, whose membership had already been suspended since 2023 , after the party formed a government coalition with a far-right force.

"The Brussels party of European socialists has literally liquidated the authentic left in the European Union member states with its agenda," Fico accused.

Founded in 1999, SMER had already been suspended in 2006 , when Fico first established a coalition with the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), although this sanction was later lifted.

The PES justified Friday's decision by stating that Robert Fico's formation presents "serious and strong contradictions with the values ​​and principles" of the social democratic family.

For the Slovak Prime Minister, the real reason is the recent constitutional amendment promoted by his party, which recognizes only two biological sexes (male and female), prohibits surrogate motherhood, bans the adoption of children by homosexual couples , and enshrines the primacy of national law over community law in matters of "cultural and ethical identity."

Slovakia strips rights of LGBT+ people in defiance of EU law

Fico argued that his social policies include "subsidized rail transport for retirees and students," "free meals in schools," "strengthening social dialogue," and "increasing the minimum wage and pensions."

The positions of the Slovak leader, who had already served as prime minister in three legislative terms (2006-2010, 2012-2016 and 2016-2018), became more populist, nationalist, anti-immigration and closer to Russia during the period in which he was in opposition.

After forming a government in October 2023, the rift with the PES worsened when Fico cut military aid to Ukraine (involved in a conflict with Russia since February 2022), abolished the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, and increased political control over public radio and television, measures that triggered large protests in Slovakia.