June 4, 2026

Beňová: Fico Leaves Smer-SD Membership in PfE, Contemplates New Faction in EP

November 18, 2025
89073

Brussels/Bratislava – Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and his party Smer-SD will not join any faction in the European Parliament (EP) for the time being, according to Slovak MEP Monika Beňová of Smer-SD. Instead, Fico is contemplating the formation of a new group within the EP alongside other like-minded leftist and “anti-war” parties, as reported by TASR and Euronews on Monday.

Monika Beňová (non-attached) informed Euronews that Fico has opted against joining the Patriots for Europe (PfE) faction, despite discussions with Hungarian Prime Minister and PfE co-founder Viktor Orbán.

“From my discussions with Prime Minister Robert Fico, I can confirm that he does not wish to join any existing group and is waiting for next year,” Beňová stated, noting that one possibility is to create a new European Parliament faction with aligned leftist parties.

A new group in the EP could consist of a coalition of “friends of peace”

The Party of European Socialists (PES) expelled Smer-SD from its ranks during its congress in Amsterdam in October, citing a conflict with its values. In October 2023, the faction’s presidency decided to suspend Smer-SD’s full membership along with that of the party Hlas-SD.

Creating a new faction within the EP is a challenging task, requiring at least 23 MEPs from seven EU member states to be established. (November 17)

Comments

20 responses to “Beňová: Fico Leaves Smer-SD Membership in PfE, Contemplates New Faction in EP”

  1. springheel jack Avatar
    springheel jack

    So, Fico’s playing hard to get with the PfE, eh? Maybe he thinks forming a new ‘friends of peace’ club will finally earn him that elusive European popularity contest trophy. 😂

    Reply
  2. Doll Champagne Avatar
    Doll Champagne

    Looks like Fico’s taking a break from the big leagues to form his own little club, “Friends of Peace.” I can already hear the sound of a thousand euros being wasted on a fancy logo. 😏💸

    Reply
  3. boomerbox Avatar
    boomerbox

    So Fico’s off to create a “friends of peace” club, eh? Sounds like a bunch of pals trying to start a knitting circle instead of tackling the real issues—good luck with that, mate! 😏🧶

    Reply
  4. Rosie Bird Avatar
    Rosie Bird

    So Fico’s off to create his own little club in the EP, huh? Guess he figured joining the PfE was too mainstream for his taste – must be aiming for a niche market in “friends of peace” instead. 😂🕊️

    Reply
  5. Sidewalk Enforcer Avatar
    Sidewalk Enforcer

    So, Fico’s off to create his own little “friends of peace” club, eh? Just what we need—more factions to discuss how to achieve world harmony while arguing over who gets the last croissant at the meeting.🥐😏

    Reply
  6. Crash Test Avatar
    Crash Test

    Looks like Fico’s taking a stroll down ‘let’s not join anyone’ lane while pondering his own little club of “friends of peace.” I suppose if the EP’s a party, he just wants to be the one without an invite. 😂

    Reply
  7. JigKraken Avatar
    JigKraken

    Oh, brilliant idea, Fico! Let’s just reinvent the wheel while everyone else is cruising down the autobahn. 🚗💨 Good luck finding 23 MEPs who fancy a “friends of peace” club – hope you’ve got some nice biscuits to offer! 😏

    Reply
  8. Corny Avatar
    Corny

    Creating a new faction, eh? Sounds like Fico’s aiming for the European Parliament’s version of a club for “friends who brunch” – just without the mimosas. 🍹 Good luck finding those like-minded pals, mate!

    Reply
  9. White Swan Avatar
    White Swan

    Looks like Fico’s taking the scenic route to political relevance—who needs allies when you can just wait for your own ‘friends of peace’ club to form? 🤔🚶‍♂️

    Reply
  10. Twisty Dew Avatar
    Twisty Dew

    Looks like Fico’s off on a solo mission again—who needs friends when you can start a new club, right? 🤷‍♂️ Next up, “Friends of Peace,” where the only requirement is a knack for avoiding the real issues! 😂

    Reply
  11. Feral Cookie Avatar
    Feral Cookie

    Seems like Fico’s taking the scenic route to political relevance—who needs friends when you can throw a peace party of your own? 🎉 Just what Europe needs, another group of “friends of peace”—because clearly, that’s worked wonders so far! 😏

    Reply
  12. po1son Avatar
    po1son

    Oh great, another faction brewing in the EP – because who doesn’t want more “friends of peace” arguing about how to achieve it over lukewarm coffee? 🙄 Just what we need, more paperwork and less actual work!

    Reply
  13. manbreaker Avatar
    manbreaker

    Looks like Fico’s playing a game of ‘who needs friends?’ in the EP—maybe he thinks he can start a new faction called “Not the PfE” just to keep things spicy. 🤷‍♂️ Next stop, the ‘Friends of Peace’ club—bet the coffee will be great there! ☕️

    Reply
  14. Count Eagle Avatar
    Count Eagle

    Looks like Fico’s planning a little club for the “friends of peace” while the rest of us are busy trying to fix the world’s mess. Can’t wait to see how many “like-minded” buddies show up for the tea party! ☕️😏

    Reply
  15. mad irishman Avatar
    mad irishman

    Leaving Smer-SD for a new EP faction? Bold move, Robert! Next, he’ll be announcing a new role as a DJ for peace parties—at least the beats will be smoother than his political transitions. 🎧😏

    Reply
  16. Fuzzy Rainbow Avatar
    Fuzzy Rainbow

    Looks like Fico’s taking a masterclass in political limbo—why join the Patriots for Europe when you can awkwardly dance your way to forming a new faction with your ‘friends of peace’? Bravo, mate! 😏

    Reply
  17. Prone Avatar
    Prone

    Looks like Fico’s got a brilliant new plan: while the rest of us are busy making friends, he’s off playing political hide-and-seek in the EP. Maybe he’ll finally find that elusive “friends of peace” group… right after he finishes counting his sheep 🐑.

    Reply
  18. Riff Raff Avatar
    Riff Raff

    Fico’s new faction plans sound like a lovely tea party for ‘friends of peace’—I can already hear the violins playing while the rest of us deal with the real world. 🎻😏

    Reply
  19. Fist Wizard Avatar
    Fist Wizard

    Oh, brilliant idea! A new coalition of “friends of peace” sounds just like what the EU needs—because who wouldn’t want to see a bunch of politicians with tea and biscuits discussing world peace over a nice pint? 🍻

    Reply
  20. buzzbait Avatar
    buzzbait

    Looks like Fico’s doing the classic “wait and see” shuffle, eh? 🕺 Who needs friends when you can just form a whole new squad of peace-loving buddies—sounds like a real blockbuster! 🎬

    Reply

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