Slovakia's president asks a populist ex-premier to form government after winning early election

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia’s president on Monday asked the leader of the winning party in the country’s parliamentary election to try to form a coalition government. Populist former prime minister Robert Fico and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party captured 22.9% of...

A populist ex-premier who opposes support for Ukraine leads his leftist party to victory in Slovakia

PRAGUE (AP) — A populist former prime minister and his leftist party have won early parliamentary elections in Slovakia, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message, according to complete results announced Sunday. Former Prime Minister...

A populist, pro-Russia ex-premier claims victory in Slovakia's parliamentary elections

A populist, pro-Russia ex-premier looks headed for victory in Slovakia's parliamentary elections

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — A populist former prime minister who campaigned on a pro-Russian and anti-American message looked to be heading for victory in early parliamentary elections in Slovakia, according to preliminary results early Sunday. With results from almost 88% of about...

Slovakia election pits a pro-Russia former prime minister against a liberal pro-West newcomer

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia holds an early parliamentary election on Saturday that pits populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico, who campaigned on a clear pro-Russia and anti-American message, against a liberal pro-West newcomer. Fico and his leftist Smer, or Direction,...

Ukraine complains to WTO about Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banning its farm products

GENEVA (AP) — Ukraine is filing a complaint at the World Trade Organization against Hungary, Poland and Slovakia after they banned grain and other food products coming from the war-torn country, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Tuesday. It lays bare a widening rift with...

As Slovakia's trust in democracy fades, its election frontrunner campaigns against aid to Ukraine

MICHALOVCE, Slovakia (AP) — A populist former prime minister whose party is favored to win Slovakia’s early parliamentary election plans to reverse the country’s military and political support for neighboring Ukraine, in a direct challenge to the European Union and NATO, if he returns to...

Slovakia expels one Russian diplomat, but doesn't explain why

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia said Thursday it was expelling a diplomat from Russia's embassy in the Slovak capital for violations of international conventions, but gave no details of the alleged wrongdoing. The diplomat, who was not identified, was given 48 hours to leave...

Former Czech Premier Andrej Babis loses case on collaborating with communist-era secret police

PRAGUE (AP) — Slovakia’s Supreme Court upheld a previous ruling that dismissed a lawsuit by former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis against allegations that he collaborated with Czechoslovakia’s communist-era secret police. Babis informed the local Czech CTK news agency about...

Open Society Foundations pledge €100 million to start new Roma foundation

Open Society Foundations said Tuesday that it will spin off its support for Europe's Roma communities into a new foundation and pledged €100 million, around $107 million, for that work. The Roma Foundation for Europe, which will be independent of OSF, launches in January and will...