Party comparison
PS vs Smer: how alike are they?
We compare the documented positions of Progresívne Slovensko and SMER – sociálna demokracia on the 42 questions in the test, issue by issue.
In brief
How do PS and Smer differ?
PS and Smer take opposite sides on most statements in the test, above all on the rule of law, Ukraine and Russia, and energy. PS supports re-establishing the Office of the Special Prosecutor and letting an independent body choose the management of STVR, and opposes stricter state oversight of NGOs funded from abroad; Smer takes the opposite view on all three. PS wants to resume state military aid to Ukraine, which Smer rejects, and Smer supports lifting EU sanctions on Russia and buying Russian gas and oil after 2027, which PS opposes. Smer supports capping energy prices for all households and a state majority stake in large energy companies; PS rejects both. Both support letting Ukraine join the EU once it meets all the conditions and making it easier for foreign workers to fill labour shortages.
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
Ukraine and Russia
Slovakia should resume sending state military aid to Ukraine.
Ukraine and Russia
Slovakia should be able to keep buying Russian gas and oil after 2027.
European Union
The EU should be able to freeze EU funds for countries that do not respect the rule of law.
Rule of law and democracy
Slovakia should re-establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor to fight corruption.
Rule of law and democracy
Non-governmental organisations funded from abroad should be subject to stricter state oversight.
Rule of law and democracy
The Prosecutor General should keep the power to annul final decisions by the police and prosecutors (the so-called Section 363).
Common ground
Where they agree
Economy and taxes
The standard VAT rate should be cut from 23%, even if the state collects less money.
Both: Against
European Union
If the EU does not change fundamentally, Slovakia should hold a referendum on whether to stay in it.
Both: Strongly against
By issue
Agreement by issue
Detail
Question by question
Economy and taxes 75 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| Everyone should pay the same rate of income tax, whatever they earn. | Against | Strongly against |
| Banks, energy companies and large retail chains should pay a special tax. | In between | In favour |
| The deficit should be reduced by cutting state spending rather than by raising taxes. | In favour | Against |
| The standard VAT rate should be cut from 23%, even if the state collects less money. | Against | Against |
Cost of living and housing 33 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| The state should cap electricity and gas prices by law for all households, not only for those on lower incomes. | Strongly against | In favour |
| The state should hold a majority stake in large energy companies. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| The state should cap supermarkets' profit margins on basic foods. | Against | In favour |
Pensions and benefits 38 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| Only people with low pensions should receive the 13th pension. | In favour | Strongly against |
| The retirement age should keep rising with life expectancy, with no fixed cap. | Strongly in favour | Against |
| Social and family benefits should be kept, even if taxes have to rise to pay for them. | Against | In favour |
| People who are able to work should lose social benefits if they turn down a job or training. | Against | In favour |
Healthcare 58 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| There should be a single public health insurer instead of several competing ones. | Against | In between |
| Patients should be able to pay extra for healthcare above the standard level. | In favour | Against |
| Slovakia should actively recruit doctors and nurses from abroad. | Strongly in favour | In between |
Ukraine and Russia 29 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| Slovakia should resume sending state military aid to Ukraine. | Strongly in favour | Strongly against |
| The EU should lift its sanctions on Russia. | Strongly against | In favour |
| Slovakia should be able to keep buying Russian gas and oil after 2027. | Strongly against | Strongly in favour |
| Ukraine should be able to join the EU once it meets all the conditions. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
| Russian assets frozen in the EU should be used to help Ukraine. | Strongly in favour | Against |
| Support for refugees from Ukraine should be cut back. | Strongly against | In between |
European Union 42 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| The EU should be able to decide foreign policy by majority vote, without any single country having a veto. | In favour | Strongly 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 | Strongly against |
Defence and NATO 58 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| Slovakia should leave NATO and become a militarily neutral country. | Strongly against | In between |
| Slovakia should increase defence spending to meet NATO's new target. | In favour | Against |
| Slovakia should withdraw from its defence cooperation agreement with the United States. | Against | In between |
Rule of law and democracy 15 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| Slovakia should re-establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor to fight corruption. | Strongly in favour | Strongly against |
| Non-governmental organisations funded from abroad should be subject to stricter state oversight. | Strongly against | Strongly in favour |
| The Prosecutor General should keep the power to annul final decisions by the police and prosecutors (the so-called Section 363). | Strongly against | Strongly in favour |
| 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 against |
| A referendum should be valid even if fewer than half of eligible voters take part. | Against | In between |
Values and society 38 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| Same-sex couples should be able to register their partnership legally. | Strongly in favour | Strongly against |
| Abortion should be more restricted than it is now. | Strongly against | Against |
| Ethical issues such as marriage or adoption should be decided only by each country, not by the EU. | Against | Strongly in favour |
| Possessing a small amount of cannabis for personal use should remain a criminal offence. | Strongly against | In between |
Minorities 44 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| In municipalities with a large Hungarian population, Hungarian should be an official language alongside Slovak. | In favour | Against |
| The 2025 law that makes it a crime to question the Beneš decrees should be repealed. | In favour | Strongly against |
| People who acquire another country's citizenship should be able to keep their Slovak citizenship. | In favour | Against |
| The state should invest more in integrating marginalised Roma communities, for example in pre-school education and housing. | Strongly in favour | In between |
Energy and climate 38 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| Slovakia should stick to the EU goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050. | Strongly in favour | Against |
| Sales of new petrol and diesel cars should be banned from 2035. | In favour | Against |
Migration 75 %
| Question | PS | Smer |
|---|---|---|
| Slovakia should make it easier for foreign workers to come and work in sectors with labour shortages. | Strongly in favour | In favour |
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