Slovak ruling parties align with far-right movement amid cabinet crisis

Slovakia's ruling coalition faces growing political shifts following the parliamentary dismissal of Environment Minister Tomáš Taraba, a move initiated by Slovak National Party leader Andrej Danko alongside opposition lawmakers. Prime Minister Robert Fico's party Smer, together with coalition partners Hlas and SNS, has formed its first explicit electoral pact with the far-right Republika movement to back Peter Hambálek for Trnava regional governor. Republika currently holds third place in national opinion polls, though its youth wing recently drew criticism over a controversial membership form mocking gender identity options. Despite heightened cabinet instability, voter sentiment in Fico's hometown of Topoľčany reflects strong support for the prime minister, with loyalists attributing government troubles to internal coalition disputes or opposition actions rather than Fico's leadership.

Sources: Český rozhlas Plus, Denník N, iROZHLAS, Respect, Seznam Zprávy