Slovakia: Governing coalition loses parliamentary majority

Robert Fico National Council of the Slovak Republic Roman Malatinec Tomáš Taraba parliamentary majority

The governing coalition in Slovakia, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, has lost its parliamentary majority following the decision of MP Roman Malatinec to leave the Rural Party. Malatinec is joining a new political formation, TARABA – Rozvoj Slovenska, led by former environment minister Tomáš Taraba.

The coalition now holds 75 seats in the 150-seat National Council, falling one vote short of the 76 required for a majority. This loss forced the government to postpone planned parliamentary votes. While opposition leaders, including Michal Šimečka of Progressive Slovakia and representatives from SaS and KDH, have called for snap elections, President Peter Pellegrini stated that early elections would require a 90-vote threshold to shorten the electoral term.

Tomáš Taraba has stated that his group of non-attached MPs will not make specific demands on the coalition but will vote for laws they deem beneficial to the public. Meanwhile, opposition figures have expressed concerns that the government may attempt to secure support through political negotiations or "buying" votes to maintain power until the next regular elections in 2027.

Entities

National Council of the Slovak Republic · National Council of the Slovak Republic · Peter Pellegrini · Robert Fico · Roman Malatinec · Roman Michelko · Tibor Gašpar · Tomáš Taraba

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Roman Michelko criticized the move as a form of pressure.
[● 3 SOURCES] Roman Malatinec was previously a member of the Strana vidieka Huliakovci. koktejl.azet.sk · newsnow.tasr.sk
[● 9 SOURCES] The governing coalition's voting strength has dropped to approximately 75 votes. koktejl.azet.sk · www.kurir.rs · newsnow.tasr.sk · www.topky.sk · www.info.sk · +4 more
[● 5 SOURCES] A majority in the 150-seat National Council requires 76 votes. www.kurir.rs · newsnow.tasr.sk · parameter.sk
[● 6 SOURCES] Roman Malatinec joined the new political group TARABA – Rozvoj Slovenska. koktejl.azet.sk · www.kurir.rs · newsnow.tasr.sk · parameter.sk
[○ 1 SOURCE] Tibor Gašpar stated that the government must determine if it can function without early elections.
[● 5 SOURCES] Opposition leaders have called for snap elections following the loss of the parliamentary majority. www.info.sk · www.kurir.rs · newsnow.tasr.sk · parameter.sk · sita.sk
[○ 1 SOURCE] President Peter Pellegrini stated that snap elections require a 90-vote threshold to shorten the electoral term. www.topky.sk