PM To Begin Talks On Early Election, Says Autumn Most Realistic Date

Slovakia's interim Prime Minister Eduard Heger has stated that he will initiate discussions with political leaders on seeking to hold a snap general election following failed attempts to put together a parliamentary majority following a no confidence vote in December.

• In a statement Heger said that "With today, I consider all attempts to establish a new 76 [majority in the 150-member National Council] to be closed...At the moment, an autumn date [for a snap election] looks the most realistic."
• Under the Slovakian constitution, 60% of lawmakers are required to back the call for a snap election for parliament to be dissolved and the vote take place. Given the fractious nature of Slovakian politics this threshold of 90 members should be met.
• Opinion polling shows the centre-left Voice-Social Democracy (HLAS-SD) of former PM Peter Pellegrini leading, with the populist left-wing Direction-Slovak Social Democracy (Smer-SD) led by controversial former PM Robert Fico in second place.
• It is unclear whether Pellegrini would link up with his former mentor Fico in a new coalition, given the swing towards populism from Smer-SD. A moderate coalition with the centrist PS-SPOLU could prove more cohesive after the election. It would also avoid the attention bringing the pro-Russian Fico into gov't would place on a new Slovakian gov't.