President and Political Parties Dismiss Any Talk of Slovakia Leaving the EU and NATO

Bratislava – President Peter Pellegrini of the Slovak Republic, along with the coalition party Hlas-SD and opposition parties PS, SaS, and Movement Slovakia, have dismissed any discussions regarding Slovakia’s potential exit from the European Union and NATO. Their comments came in response to Deputy Speaker of the National Council, Tibor Gašpar of Smer-SD, who on January 17 indicated that leaving these organizations could be a possibility, as reported by TASR.

Pellegrini took to social media to share a quote from a memorandum signed by top constitutional officials in September 2024, reaffirming their commitment to Slovakia’s unyielding membership in both the EU and NATO.

Michaela Eliášová, spokesperson for the HLAS-SD party, stated, “Our party supports a foreign policy centered on Slovak sovereignty, where the interests of Slovakia must take precedence. However, we categorically reject any dialogue about a potential withdrawal from the EU or NATO.”

Gašpar also responded to a proposal from the SaS party to enshrine Slovakia’s membership in the EU and NATO within the constitution during a segment on the STVR television station. He reminded viewers that Slovakia joined these organizations through a referendum, suggesting that a similar process should be followed for any potential exit, which he described as an extreme measure. He clarified that Smer-SD does not currently intend to leave the EU or NATO.

“However, both organizations are subject to change over time. They might alter fundamental principles or issues that were in place when we joined. Thus, we must keep the option open to consider even such an extreme solution as leaving the EU,” Gašpar remarked.

Progressive Slovakia (PS) strongly opposed Gašpar’s statements about the potential exit from the EU and NATO.

“Our concerns have been validated: Prime Minister Robert Fico is laying the groundwork for Slovakia’s departure from Europe,” the movement declared on social media. They asserted that Fico’s government appears willing to distract from its own failures by threatening the core pillars that uphold Slovakia’s stability, safety, and prosperity. “Countless generations have fought for Slovakia’s clear European integration, and we will not allow Fico’s disruptiveness to jeopardize the future of the Slovak Republic,” PS emphasized.

SaS demanded that Prime Minister Fico and the Smer-SD party officially clarify Gašpar’s statements. “We were taken aback by the deputy speaker’s remarks. Tibor Gašpar suggested that Slovakia could exit the EU. We urge the Smer party and Prime Minister Robert Fico to publicly confirm or deny these statements,” stated SaS chairman Branislav Gröhling, adding that all parliamentary parties should position themselves regarding the proposed constitutional amendment.

SaS aims to enshrine Slovakia’s membership in the EU and NATO within the Constitution. Members of the National Council for SaS plan to advance this proposal through a draft constitutional law, which is expected to be discussed during the February session of the National Council. (January 18)

“Both organizations are subject to change over time. They may alter fundamental issues or principles that were in place at our time of accession. Hence, we must keep the door open for the possibility of considering such an extreme solution as leaving the EU.” Tibor Gašpar.