Slovak PM Fico may sacrifice his good relations with PM Orbán to keep his governing coalition

Previously, we reported on a leaked language-use bill drafted by Slovakia’s Ministry of Culture, under the leadership of the far-right nationalist SNS party. This proposed legislation has raised concerns among local Hungarians, as it could potentially limit their ability to use their mother tongue in everyday situations—such as at post offices or on public transport, including buses, trams, and trains. While Hungarian government officials have sought to reassure the public, Euronews speculates that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico may prioritise maintaining his governing coalition over his positive relationship with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The end of Orbán and Fico’s friendship?

As Euronews reports, on Thursday, the two nations’ foreign ministers held a joint press conference, during which they stressed that the new Slovak bill is intended to strengthen the use of the Slovak language and is not designed to curtail the rights of minority languages.

Balázs Tárnok, a National University of Public Service researcher, warned that the bill could significantly reduce the rights of minorities to use their languages.  Furthermore, the culture ministry drafting the bill is in the hands of the SNS party, which has consequently weak results in polls. Therefore, Tárnok suggests that the party may be attempting to attract attention and assert its influence through such controversial measures.

According to Euronews, Hungarians in Slovakia are hopeful that the SNS’s coalition partners will moderate the anti-minority elements of the bill.

PM Orbán and Fico have maintained a positive relationship, with rumours suggesting that Orbán even supported Fico’s anti-migration campaign by redirecting illegal migrants to the Slovak-Hungarian border. This move reportedly contributed to many ethnic Hungarians voting for Fico, despite his earlier anti-Hungarian policies in the 2010s. However, if Fico and his party decide to oppose the new SNS bill, they risk endangering their coalition’s stability.

Orbán and Fico embrace in Budapest. Will their friendship survive the proposed language law?  Photo: FB/Orbán

Many believe that the Slovak political elite is using this issue to divert attention from the country’s economic challenges.

Hungary-Slovakia cooperation: Strategic and friendly, says speaker Kövér

Hungarian-Slovak relations remain strategic and friendly, László Kövér, Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament, stated following a meeting with Peter Žiga, head of Slovakia’s National Council, on Friday evening. According to the Hungarian News Agency, the two leaders discussed shared challenges and the strong ties between their nations.

As well as history and geography, Kövér said the challenges of the current era had put the two countries on a parallel path.

He noted that Slovakia was regularly Hungary’s second- or third-biggest trade partner, adding that cross-border economic transactions had intensified and been more focused on shared interests and goals.

He said the sides had discussed international developments as well as bilateral relations. The sides agreed that the shift in power after the European Parliament elections and change in leadership at the White House would improve Hungary and Slovakia’s ability to enforce their interests, he said. Both countries want to see an end to the war in Ukraine and those political changes on the international stage are likely to “bring us closer to the peace we hope for”, he added.

After Hungary took over the rotating presidency of the Visegrád Group in January, Kövér said cooperation between V4 parliaments would be stepped up. “We can naturally rely on the cooperation of our Slovak partners in this,” he added.

Ziga said the two countries’ strong ties were the result of common interests.

He added that several bilateral issues had been discussed at the meeting, including the cooperation of the national assemblies. He said he had informed Kövér in October about the establishment of a Slovak-Hungarian friendship group in the Slovak parliament.

He acknowledged Hungary’s involvement in policing Slovak airspace.

Read also:

• New Slovak bill would ban Hungarian language use on trains, buses, trams, and post offices – read more HERE
• Slovakia assures Hungary that the new Slovak language law will not curtail Hungarian minority rights