Incumbent Slovak PM Set to Lose Parliamentary Majority

The social-democratic party of incumbent Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico won the general elections held in the country on Saturday, but lost its parliamentary majority.

According to preliminary results based on almost all of the votes counted, Fico's Smer-Social Democracy party won the elections with 28.3 % of the ballots, which translates to 49 seats in the 150-member parliament.

Therefore, Fico will need to find coalition partners if he is to serve his third term as prime minister.

The elections were characterised by gains for the small parties, including far right ones.

In total, eight parties, including the far-right People's Party - Our Slovakia, passed the electoral threshold of 5 % and will be represented in the new parliament.

This is likely to produce a divided parliament and to create difficulties for the formation of a majority government.

Known for his anti-migrant views and populist policies, Fico has vowed not to accept a single Muslim migrant in the country and is firmly opposed to EU quotas on the resettlement of migrants.

His views are close to those expressed by the other three countries constituting the Visegrad Group - Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Slovakia is scheduled to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in July.

As the leader of the party winning the largest share of the votes, Fico is expected to be asked to form a new government.

The voter turnout stood at 59.82 %, The Slovak Spectator informs.