Slovakia debates EU and NATO exit after key ally's remarks

Tibor Gašpar, vice-chairman of the Slovak parliament and a member of the official parliamentary delegation that spent three days in Moscow earlier this week, appeared on Slovak state television STVR on Friday. His words sparked significant controversy in Slovakia.

Gašpar, who is also a member of the strongest party in the ruling coalition, Direction - Slovak Social Democracy (Smer-SSD), stated during the interview that although leaving the EU and NATO “is not a priority goal” for his group at the moment, “options must be left open for a situation where we might consider such an extreme solution.”

Gašpar's statement elicited a quick response from the coalition partner, Voice–Social Democracy (Hlas-SD), which emphasized its commitment to a “sovereign foreign policy,” while also stating, “However, we reject any discussions on the possible exit of Slovakia from the EU or NATO.”

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini reminded everyone on his social media of the foreign policy memorandum from September 1, 2024, in which Slovakia's highest-ranking politicians declared support for EU and NATO membership. This document was signed by the prime minister, the president, and the acting head of parliament.

Prime Minister Robert Fico, who visited Moscow on December 22 and spoke with President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, declared two weeks later that he wants a new declaration on the directions of Slovakia's foreign policy. He argued that this discussion is necessary given the rise in the EU of views differing from those promoted by Brussels.

Opposition parties, on the other hand, want a firm reaffirmation of Slovakia's membership in the EU and NATO. One of them, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), on Friday advocated for including a provision on the EU and NATO in the constitution.