Party comparison

PS vs SaS: how alike are they?

We compare the documented positions of Progresívne Slovensko and Sloboda a Solidarita on the 42 questions in the test, issue by issue.

Liberalism, pro-Europeanism

80 %

overall agreement

SaS

Classical liberalism, centre-right

In brief

How do PS and SaS differ?

PS and SaS are close in the test and take the same position on many statements. Both fully support re-establishing the Office of the Special Prosecutor, resuming state military aid to Ukraine and allowing same-sex couples to register their partnership, and both fully oppose stricter state oversight of NGOs funded from abroad, tighter abortion rules and keeping possession of a small amount of cannabis a criminal offence. They part ways on taxes and the EU. SaS supports cutting the standard VAT rate, which PS opposes. PS supports banning sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035, letting the EU decide foreign policy by majority vote without a national veto and freezing EU funds for countries that do not respect the rule of law; SaS opposes all three.

This summary is based on the parties’ documented positions on the test statements; the source of each position is on the party’s page. Updated 17/10/2026.

Differences

Where they clash most

Economy and taxes

Everyone should pay the same rate of income tax, whatever they earn.

PS Against

Estimated position: it does not propose a flat tax; its TRESK plan would cut taxes on labour, including by raising the tax-free allowance.

SaS Strongly in favour

Its 2027 programme proposes bringing back a flat income tax of at most 19%, the same rate for employees, the self-employed and companies.

Economy and taxes

The standard VAT rate should be cut from 23%, even if the state collects less money.

PS Against

Its TRESK plan does not propose cutting VAT: it prioritises lower taxes on labour and a shift from direct taxes to indirect and property taxes.

SaS Strongly in favour

Its 2027 programme proposes a single 19% VAT rate with few exemptions, accepting an initial revenue loss that it expects stronger growth to offset.

European Union

The EU should be able to freeze EU funds for countries that do not respect the rule of law.

PS Strongly in favour

In 2024 it answered that the EU should keep halting funds to states that breach the rule of law; in 2023 it welcomed that step against Hungary.

SaS Against

Its 2024 European election programme opposes the mechanism for withholding EU funds and would protect the rule of law mainly through the EPPO, OLAF and the EU Court of Justice.

Energy and climate

Sales of new petrol and diesel cars should be banned from 2035.

PS In favour

In 2024 it supported banning sales of new combustion-engine cars in the EU from 2035; in 2023 Šimečka said he agreed with the ban.

SaS Strongly against

Its 2024 European election programme recalls that SaS opposed the 2035 ban on combustion engines because it cuts emissions at an extremely high cost compared with other options.

Common ground

Where they agree

Cost of living and housing

The state should cap electricity and gas prices by law for all households, not only for those on lower incomes.

Both: Strongly against

Cost of living and housing

The state should cap supermarkets' profit margins on basic foods.

Both: Against

Ukraine and Russia

Slovakia should resume sending state military aid to Ukraine.

Both: Strongly in favour

Ukraine and Russia

The EU should lift its sanctions on Russia.

Both: Strongly against

Ukraine and Russia

Ukraine should be able to join the EU once it meets all the conditions.

Both: Strongly in favour

Ukraine and Russia

Russian assets frozen in the EU should be used to help Ukraine.

Both: Strongly in favour

By issue

Agreement by issue

Economy and taxes 44 %

Cost of living and housing 92 %

Pensions and benefits 75 %

Healthcare 75 %

Ukraine and Russia 96 %

European Union 58 %

Defence and NATO 83 %

Rule of law and democracy 100 %

Values and society 94 %

Minorities 81 %

Energy and climate 50 %

Migration 100 %

Detail

Question by question

Economy and taxes 44 %

Question	PS	SaS
Everyone should pay the same rate of income tax, whatever they earn.	Against	Strongly in favour
Banks, energy companies and large retail chains should pay a special tax.	In between	Strongly against
The deficit should be reduced by cutting state spending rather than by raising taxes.	In favour	Strongly in favour
The standard VAT rate should be cut from 23%, even if the state collects less money.	Against	Strongly in favour

Cost of living and housing 92 %

Question	PS	SaS
The state should cap electricity and gas prices by law for all households, not only for those on lower incomes.	Strongly against	Strongly against
The state should hold a majority stake in large energy companies.	Against	Strongly against
The state should cap supermarkets' profit margins on basic foods.	Against	Against

Pensions and benefits 75 %

Question	PS	SaS
Only people with low pensions should receive the 13th pension.	In favour	Strongly in favour
The retirement age should keep rising with life expectancy, with no fixed cap.	Strongly in favour	In favour
Social and family benefits should be kept, even if taxes have to rise to pay for them.	Against	Strongly against
People who are able to work should lose social benefits if they turn down a job or training.	Against	In between

Healthcare 75 %

Question	PS	SaS
There should be a single public health insurer instead of several competing ones.	Against	Strongly against
Patients should be able to pay extra for healthcare above the standard level.	In favour	Strongly in favour
Slovakia should actively recruit doctors and nurses from abroad.	Strongly in favour	In favour

Ukraine and Russia 96 %

Question	PS	SaS
Slovakia should resume sending state military aid to Ukraine.	Strongly in favour	Strongly in favour
The EU should lift its sanctions on Russia.	Strongly against	Strongly against
Slovakia should be able to keep buying Russian gas and oil after 2027.	Strongly against	Against
Ukraine should be able to join the EU once it meets all the conditions.	Strongly in favour	Strongly in favour
Russian assets frozen in the EU should be used to help Ukraine.	Strongly in favour	Strongly in favour
Support for refugees from Ukraine should be cut back.	Strongly against	Strongly against

European Union 58 %

Question	PS	SaS
The EU should be able to decide foreign policy by majority vote, without any single country having a veto.	In favour	Against
If the EU does not change fundamentally, Slovakia should hold a referendum on whether to stay in it.	Strongly against	Strongly against
The EU should be able to freeze EU funds for countries that do not respect the rule of law.	Strongly in favour	Against

Defence and NATO 83 %

Question	PS	SaS
Slovakia should leave NATO and become a militarily neutral country.	Strongly against	Strongly against
Slovakia should increase defence spending to meet NATO's new target.	In favour	Strongly in favour
Slovakia should withdraw from its defence cooperation agreement with the United States.	Against	Strongly against

Rule of law and democracy 100 %

Question	PS	SaS
Slovakia should re-establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor to fight corruption.	Strongly in favour	Strongly in favour
Non-governmental organisations funded from abroad should be subject to stricter state oversight.	Strongly against	Strongly against
The Prosecutor General should keep the power to annul final decisions by the police and prosecutors (the so-called Section 363).	Strongly against	Strongly against
The management of the public broadcaster STVR should be chosen by an independent body, not by the government or the governing majority in parliament.	Strongly in favour	Strongly in favour
A referendum should be valid even if fewer than half of eligible voters take part.	Against	Against

Values and society 94 %

Question	PS	SaS
Same-sex couples should be able to register their partnership legally.	Strongly in favour	Strongly in favour
Abortion should be more restricted than it is now.	Strongly against	Strongly against
Ethical issues such as marriage or adoption should be decided only by each country, not by the EU.	Against	Strongly against
Possessing a small amount of cannabis for personal use should remain a criminal offence.	Strongly against	Strongly against

Minorities 81 %

Question	PS	SaS
In municipalities with a large Hungarian population, Hungarian should be an official language alongside Slovak.	In favour	In between
The 2025 law that makes it a crime to question the Beneš decrees should be repealed.	In favour	In favour
People who acquire another country's citizenship should be able to keep their Slovak citizenship.	In favour	Strongly in favour
The state should invest more in integrating marginalised Roma communities, for example in pre-school education and housing.	Strongly in favour	In favour

Energy and climate 50 %

Question	PS	SaS
Slovakia should stick to the EU goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.	Strongly in favour	In favour
Sales of new petrol and diesel cars should be banned from 2035.	In favour	Strongly against

Migration 100 %

Question	PS	SaS
Slovakia should make it easier for foreign workers to come and work in sectors with labour shortages.	Strongly in favour	Strongly in favour

What about you? Which of the two do you agree with more?

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