# Central European election polling and popularity shifts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/central-european-election-polling > Updated: 2026-09-13T18:13:04.000Z. Sources: 39. Developments: 13. In Slovakia, parliamentary election polling remains highly competitive between Progresívne Slovensko (PS) and Smer-SD. While previous Ipsos and INFOSTAT data showed a near-deadlock or a slight Smer lead, a recent August poll by the AKO agency for TV JOJ 24 indicated PS leading with 21% (39 seats), followed by Smer-SD at 17.7% (33 seats) and Republika at 9.8% (18 seats). However, a new SCIO opinion poll shows a shift in momentum, with Smer-SD leading PS for the first time since March 2024. Although the margin is statistically insignificant, Smer-SD received 17.32% of decided voters compared to 16.94% for PS. This contrasts with May data, where PS held a lead of 19.70% to Smer-SD's 15.41%. Other parties in the SCIO poll include Republika at 10.45%, Hnutie SLOVENSKO at 9.30%, HLAS-SD at 9.04%, and SaS at 8.41%, suggesting up to eight parties could enter parliament. Amidst these shifts, political discourse regarding stability has emerged. President Peter Pellegrini suggested a ‘grand coalition’ between Smer-SD and PS could benefit the country if leaders prioritize stability over personal egos. Michal Šimečka, leader of PS, rejected the proposal as an ‘absurdity,’ asserting that Smer-SD must be defeated in the 2027 elections. Commentator Eduard Chmelár has proposed a broader coalition including Hlas to ensure stability. As the October 24 regional elections approach, new electoral alliances are forming. The governing coalition, led by Robert Fico’s Smer-SD, has begun collaborating with the far-right, extra-parliamentary movement Republika. By September 2026, polling trends show a resurgence for PS. An NMS Market Research poll conducted in early September indicates that if elections were held then, PS would lead with 21.6%, while Smer-SD holds 16.2%. Notably, Republika has seen a significant rise to 15.6%, closely approaching Smer-SD's support level. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-13: Slovakia political landscape shifts toward election campaign mode Slovak politics enters a campaign mode as Robert Fico’s government faces economic stagnation and unpopular reforms, while the opposition struggles to regain voter support. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-political-landscape-shifts-toward-election-campaign-mode ### 2026-09-10: Slovakia election poll: Progresívne Slovensko leads with 21.6 percent A new NMS poll shows Progresívne Slovensko leading Slovak parliamentary elections with 21.6 percent, followed by Smer-SD at 16.2 percent and a rising Republika at 15.6 percent. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-election-poll-progresvne-slovensko-leads-with-216-percent ### 2026-09-08: Slovakia political parties form alliances ahead of regional elections Slovak governing parties are forming electoral alliances with the far-right Republika movement ahead of the October 24 regional elections, while candidates in Košice pledge fair campaigning. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-political-parties-form-alliances-ahead-of-regional-elections ### 2026-09-06: Smer-SD leads Progresívne Slovensko in latest SCIO poll A new SCIO poll shows Smer-SD narrowly leading Progresívne Slovensko in Slovakia. Meanwhile, President Peter Pellegrini has suggested a potential grand coalition between the two parties to ensure stability. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/smer-sd-leads-progresvne-slovensko-in-latest-scio-poll ### 2026-08-28: Progresívne Slovensko leads in latest Slovak election poll An AKO agency poll shows Progresívne Slovensko leading Slovak parliamentary elections with 21%, followed by Smer-SD at 17.7%. No single political bloc currently holds a majority. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovak-polling-predicts-progresvne-slovensko-victory-in-parliamentary-elections ### 2026-08-25: Slovakia political polls show tight race between Smer and PS New polls in Slovakia show a tight race between Smer-SD and Progresívne Slovensko, with the two parties nearly tied in support as the political landscape shifts ahead of upcoming elections. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-political-polls-show-tight-race-between-smer-and-ps ### 2026-08-23: Nataša Pirc Musar loses top popularity ranking in Slovenia A new poll shows Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar has lost her position as the most popular politician to Matjaž Han, while SDS remains the leading political party. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nataa-pirc-musar-loses-top-popularity-ranking-in-slovenia ### 2026-08-20: Slovakia election poll: Smer-SD leads narrowly over Progresívne Slovensko A SANEP poll shows Smer-SD leading Slovak parliamentary elections with 19.2%, closely followed by Progresívne Slovensko at 18.5%. Republika ranks third with 12.2% support. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-election-poll-smer-sd-leads-narrowly-over-progresvne-slovensko ### 2026-08-17: Slovenia government approval drops in latest polling New polls show 57.1% of Slovenians view the current government as unsuccessful, with SDS and Freedom Movement neck-and-neck in hypothetical election projections. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenia-government-approval-drops-in-latest-polling ### 2026-08-12: Slovakia political polls: Progresívne Slovensko leads as Hlas-SD declines August polling by NMS Market Research Slovakia shows Progresívne Slovensko leading at 19.2%, while Smer-SD rises to 16.5% and Hlas-SD drops sharply to 5.9%. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-political-polls-progresvne-slovensko-leads-as-hlas-sd-declines ### 2026-08-06: Slovakia 2026 elections: PS leads national poll as Ružinov mayoral race tightens Progressive Slovakia leads a tight national poll over Smer, while independent MP Peter Strapák campaigns for Ružinov mayor in Bratislava ahead of the 24 Oct 2026 elections. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovakia-2026-elections-ps-leads-national-poll-as-ruinov-mayoral-race-tightens ### 2026-07-26: Slovenian and Serbian election polls reveal changing voter support Polls show Slovenia’s Janša government slipping to 36.8% support while SDS leads at 22.9%; Serbia’s CRTA poll gives Studentska lista 44.9% and SNS 35.7%, amid criticism of the political climate. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/slovenian-and-serbian-election-polls-reveal-changing-voter-support ### 2026-07-22: Smer-SD leads Progresívne Slovensko in Slovak election poll Smer‑SD leads with 19.6% in a Slovak poll, ahead of Progresívne Slovensko (18.1%); the poll projects seat counts and shows low backing for a proposed conservative bloc, while Prime Minister Robert Fico tops the 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/smer-sd-leads-progresvne-slovensko-in-slovak-election-poll --- Cite as: Central European election polling and popularity shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/central-european-election-polling