Slovakia election approaches, with controversial former prime minister leading polls – Europe live

Robert Fico of Smer party has criticised western sanctions against Russia, while rights advocates say he is inciting hate against LGBTQ+ community

• ‘A huge storm’: polarised Slovakia on a knife edge ahead of elections

The American ambassador in Bratislava, Gautam Rana, said this week that he has “been very clear” with Robert Fico about the importance of continuing support for Ukraine.

In an interview with Peter Dlhopolec, the editor-in-chief of The Slovak Spectator, the American diplomat said that “Fico as prime minister took his role as a NATO ally seriously, and maintained a relationship with the EU.”

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