Slovakia prepares for EU elections after prime minister's assassination

(7 Jun 2024)
RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bratislava, Slovakia - 7 June 2024
1. European, Slovak and Bratislava's flag
2. City Hall of Bratislava
3. Sign of city hall
4. Tourist on historic square in Bratislava
5. Group of people talking
6. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Katarina Mlynekova, voter:
"These elections are important for the future of Europe, but, above all, for young people to understand who to vote for."
7. Fountain in front of Old Market
8. People drinking coffee and relaxing
9. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Mikulas Jozsa, voter:
"I think it's very important that we choose well. To have somebody who can take care of our state, make sure that our state is well and represent us well."
10. Banner of SNS (Slovak National Party) in front of shopping mall saying "We are not buffer state for Brussels"
11. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Katarina Klingova, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Democracy & Resilience GLOBSEC:
"The atmosphere in Slovakia after the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico remains very polarised. This is due to the many statements made by government representatives, who use the attempt to attack not only the opposition but also various non-profit organisations and the mainstream media, which, in their (government representatives') view, have also polarised society here."
12. Banner of government Hlas (Voice) saying - "Slovakia is hurt, let's save it together"
13. Banner of Fico's Smer (Direct) saying "For the peace in Europe"
14. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Katarina Klingova, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Democracy & Resilience GLOBSEC:
"The latest polls indicate that Smer (Fico's party) should actually win the next elections. The second in the standings, that is, close behind, is currently Progressive Slovakia. We shall see how this turns out. Many political parties are indeed using the attempt and then the disinformation that has been spread about the attacker and his links to Progressive Slovakia to smear this political party and other more liberal political parties."
15. EU and Slovak flag
STORYLINE:
Voters in Slovakia are set to cast their ballots in the European Union parliamentary elections on Saturday just weeks after an attempt to assassinate populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Analysts expect the event that sent shockwaves through the nation of 5.4 million, would be a boost for turnout, which was the lowest of the entire bloc in 2014 and 2019.
"These elections are important for the future of Europe," says Katarina Mlynekova, a pensioner from Bratislava."
But above, above all, (it is important) for young people to understand who to vote for," she adds.
It’s also predicted to increase the chances of Fico’s leftist senior government Smer (Direction) party to win the vote.
Smer is in a close race against the main opposition Progressive Slovakia, a pro-Western liberal party.
Fico’s group has been attacking the EU’s support for Ukraine, as well other mainstream policies, including immigration, climate change and LGBTQ+ rights.
Two other political groups are far behind: Hlas (or the Voice), another leftist coalition party previously led by Fico’s close ally Peter Pellegrini, who won the presidential election in April and will be inaugurated as the country’s president next week.
And the Republic, a far-right party that wants Slovakia out of NATO.
Slovakia contests 15 seats in the election.
Progressive Slovakia won the 2014 ballot in a coalition with the Together party, winning four seats.
Smer was second with three seats.
AP Video shot by Stanislav Hodina
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