Slovakia's ruling coalition partners with far-right Republika ahead of regional polls

Slovakia's governing coalition, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, has formed an explicit electoral pact with the far-right Republika movement for upcoming regional elections, marking the first formal alliance between the ruling parties and the non-parliamentary group. The move comes as Republika's youth wing faces criticism over controversial wording on its online membership registration form.

Simultaneously, Fico’s cabinet approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow public referendums to trigger early elections in future parliamentary terms, though the coalition currently lacks the three-fifths majority required to pass it. In parliament, President Peter Pellegrini urged coalition leaders to resolve internal political friction behind closed doors. Meanwhile, opposition leader Igor Matovič launched a nationwide tour holding public confrontations to challenge government supporters.

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