PS: Fico Shows Nervousness and Weakness in Talks with EU, Not Sovereignty

Bratislava, July 12 (TASR) – Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) responded aggressively on Saturday to growing calls from Slovakia’s European partners for energy independence from Russia, and in response, Ivan Stefunko, vice-chair of the opposition's Progressive Slovakia (PS), emphasized that a sovereign country does not negotiate in isolation and aggression but with prudence, dignity, and respect for its partners. „Slovakia currently has the most expensive gas in the region, while the neighboring Czech Republic secured cheaper supplies in time from alternative sources. The Czechs know how to negotiate. We have a nervous Prime Minister who's been in power for 15 years and now acts surprised. The result? Slovaks are paying more and businesses are losing competitiveness,” Stefunko said. PS vice-chair Tomas Valasek added that sovereignty does not mean isolation but the ability to cooperate with allies. According to him, the Prime Minister is consciously pushing Slovakia into isolation. „On the day we celebrate the anniversary of our sovereignty, we must ask: is this what responsible governance looks like? Quarreling with partners, blackmailing the European Union, and cozying up to Moscow? Slovakia deserves a government that knows how to negotiate — not shout. One that defends its interests wisely, not through threats,” Valasek said. He also accused Fico of spreading falsehoods about the effects of sanctions on Russia. „The truth is, the Russian economy is on the brink of recession. This is confirmed by Russia’s own economy minister, along with data on record inflation and Gazprom’s losses,” he added. Beata Jurik, vice-chair of the House Committee on European Affairs (PS), expressed her view that Slovakia is becoming “disgrace of Europe.” „The German Chancellor and Lithuanian Foreign Minister have openly spoken of Slovakia’s blackmail. These are not words from the opposition — they are coming from our partners. The Prime Minister has offered no clear demands or proposals — only chaos, delays, and conflict. This is not how Slovakia’s interests should be defended,” she stated. Jurik also pointed out that a proposal aimed at helping Slovakia manage its energy transition has been on the table since 2022. „Where has the Prime Minister been until now? Suddenly he wakes up when it’s time to block more sanctions against Russia. If he truly cared about Slovakia, he would have negotiated long ago. Now he cares only about Russia — that’s why he’s blocking it,” Jurík concluded. mf