Smer · Social democracy, social conservatism · Nationwide · Official website

What does SMER – sociálna demokracia propose?

SMER – sociálna demokracia (Smer-SD) was founded in 1999 as a breakaway from the Party of the Democratic Left, and Robert Fico has led it ever since. It governed in 2006–2010 and 2012–2020. It won the 2023 election with 22.9% of the vote and 42 seats; its group now has 41 MPs. In the 2024 European elections it took 24.8% and five seats, and its MEPs are non-attached. The Party of European Socialists expelled it in October 2025.

Since October 2023 Fico has led a government with Hlas and the SNS. Polls in September and October 2026 put Smer at 16.9–17.8%, second behind Progresívne Slovensko. It calls itself a left-wing party of the welfare state and made a full 13th pension a condition for governing. It supports EU and NATO membership but rejects military aid to Ukraine and an end to the national veto in the EU. The government abolished the Special Prosecutor's Office and passed the 2025 constitutional amendment recognising only two sexes.

Smer has a documented position on 42 of the 42 test questions, across 12 topics: 13 in favour, 8 in between and 21 against. Take the test to find out how well you match Smer.

Profile reviewed on 16/10/2026.

Smer in figures

13
in favour: 8
in between: 21
against: 15
without nuance

Comparing question by question, the party whose positions are closest to those of Smer is Hlas (89% agreement on 42 shared questions), and the furthest is SaS (39%).

Of the 42 positions, 36 link to the document they come from and 6 are marked as estimated because we have not found an explicit document. See the methodology.

💰 Smer on Economy and taxes

4 questions: 1 in favour, 0 in between and 3 against.

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

Strongly against

Reasoning: In 2025 its caucus voted for the consolidation package that added two new personal income tax brackets, of 30% and 35%, for the highest incomes.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 1005 (konsolidácia verejných financií), 24. 9. 2025.

Banks, energy companies and large retail chains should pay a special tax.

In favour

Reasoning: In 2023 its caucus passed its government's package that brought back an extraordinary bank levy within the levy on regulated sectors such as energy; retail chains are not specially taxed.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 97 (Lex konsolidácia), 19. 12. 2023.

The deficit should be reduced by cutting state spending rather than by raising taxes.

Against

Reasoning: Its government has consolidated mainly by raising taxes: VAT to 23%, a financial transactions tax and higher personal and corporate income tax rates.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 483 (konsolidácia), 3. 10. 2024.

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

Against

Reasoning: In 2024 its caucus voted for its government's package that raised the standard VAT rate from 20% to 23%; the party has not proposed cutting it again.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 483 (konsolidácia, DPH 23 %), 3. 10. 2024.

🛒 Smer on Cost of living and housing

3 questions: 3 in favour, 0 in between and 0 against.

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

In favour

Reasoning: Its government still caps household electricity and gas prices; from 2026 the cap is income-tested, but Fico says it reaches up to 90% of households.

Source: Startitup, 3. 12. 2025: vláda schválila energopomoc na rok 2026.

The state should hold a majority stake in large energy companies.

Strongly in favour

Reasoning: In 2026 Fico backed buying another 17% of Slovenské elektrárne so the state would hold 51%; its 2023 programme already supported the state's return to the energy sector.

Source: TASR (teraz.sk), 22. 4. 2026: Premiér podporuje získanie 17 % akcií v Slovenských elektrárňach.

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

In favour

Reasoning: In 2022 it called for regulating basic food prices by cutting retail chains' margins, and its 2023 manifesto pledges to use the whole regulatory framework against rising prices.

Source: SITA, 23. 6. 2022: Smer navrhuje regulovať marže obchodných reťazcov.

👵 Smer on Pensions and benefits

4 questions: 2 in favour, 0 in between and 2 against.

Only people with low pensions should receive the 13th pension.

Strongly against

Reasoning: Its 2023 manifesto made a full 13th pension "for all categories of pensioners" a condition for joining the government.

Source: Návrat dôstojnosti do života ľudí (volebný program 2023), s. 4.

The retirement age should keep rising with life expectancy, with no fixed cap.

Against

Reasoning: Its 2023 manifesto promises to reopen the question of a constitutional cap on the retirement age, in line with workers' health.

Source: Návrat dôstojnosti do života ľudí (volebný program 2023), s. 5.

Social and family benefits should be kept, even if taxes have to rise to pay for them.

In favour

Reasoning: Its government raised taxes to consolidate but kept the 13th pension; the finance minister said the priority was to hit low-income groups as little as possible.

Source: Noviny.sk/TASR, 18. 9. 2024: Vláda schválila balík opatrení na konsolidáciu.

People who are able to work should lose social benefits if they turn down a job or training.

In favour

Reasoning: In 2025 its caucus voted for the law that cuts material-need benefit for people who turn down a suitable job offered by the labour office without good reason.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 727 (pomoc v hmotnej núdzi, „Práca namiesto dávok“), 29. 5. 2025.

🏥 Smer on Healthcare

3 questions: 0 in favour, 2 in between and 1 against.

There should be a single public health insurer instead of several competing ones.

In between Estimated position

Patients should be able to pay extra for healthcare above the standard level.

Against Estimated position

Slovakia should actively recruit doctors and nurses from abroad.

In between Estimated position

🕊️ Smer on Ukraine and Russia

6 questions: 3 in favour, 1 in between and 2 against.

Slovakia should resume sending state military aid to Ukraine.

Strongly against

Reasoning: Its 2023 manifesto rejects military aid to Ukraine, saying it only prolongs the war; its government stopped state military aid in 2023.

Source: Návrat suverenity do slovenskej zahraničnej politiky (volebný program 2023), s. 2.

The EU should lift its sanctions on Russia.

In favour

Reasoning: In 2025 its caucus voted for a resolution asking the government to reject new sanctions on Russia; its 2024 EU manifesto calls for changing EU sanctions policy.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 759 (uznesenie o odmietnutí sankčnej politiky voči Ruskej federácii), 5. 6. 2025.

Slovakia should be able to keep buying Russian gas and oil after 2027.

Strongly in favour

Reasoning: In 2026 Fico announced that his government will challenge the EU ban on Russian gas at the EU Court of Justice, calling the ban "energy suicide".

Source: Reuters / Pipeline & Gas Journal, 27. 1. 2026: Slovensko napadne zákaz ruského plynu.

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

In favour

Reasoning: Its 2024 EU manifesto backs Ukraine joining the EU only once it strictly meets the criteria, though it sees this as highly unlikely in the near term.

Source: Za mier v Európe! (program do volieb do EP 2024), s. 4.

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

Against

Reasoning: In 2025 Fico refused to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine, though he said the US peace plan counts on them for Ukraine's reconstruction.

Source: SITA, 12. 12. 2025: Fico sľubuje zablokovanie reparačnej pôžičky pre Ukrajinu.

Support for refugees from Ukraine should be cut back.

In between Estimated position

🇪🇺 Smer on European Union

3 questions: 0 in favour, 0 in between and 3 against.

The EU should be able to decide foreign policy by majority vote, without any single country having a veto.

Strongly against

Reasoning: Its 2024 EU manifesto calls removing member states' veto a "red line" and rejects majority voting in foreign policy.

Source: Za mier v Európe! (program do volieb do EP 2024), s. 2.

If the EU does not change fundamentally, Slovakia should hold a referendum on whether to stay in it.

Strongly against

Reasoning: Its 2023 manifesto calls Slovakia's EU membership "irreplaceable", and its 2024 EU manifesto calls it beneficial despite criticising the EU's leadership.

Source: Návrat suverenity do slovenskej zahraničnej politiky (volebný program 2023), s. 1.

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

Strongly against

Reasoning: Its 2024 EU manifesto says EU funds are a tool of help, not a means of political control or of fighting inconvenient states or governments.

Source: Za mier v Európe! (program do volieb do EP 2024), s. 4.

🛡️ Smer on Defence and NATO

3 questions: 0 in favour, 2 in between and 1 against.

Slovakia should leave NATO and become a militarily neutral country.

In between

Reasoning: Its 2023 manifesto supports meeting NATO commitments, but in 2025 Fico said neutrality would suit Slovakia and that the question could be put to citizens.

Source: Startitup, 18. 6. 2025: Fico spochybňuje výdavky NATO a hovorí o neutralite.

Slovakia should increase defence spending to meet NATO's new target.

Against

Reasoning: In 2025 Fico said the current 2% of GDP is enough to deliver what NATO expects and that each country sets its own pace; he accepts more spending only on dual-use projects.

Source: TASR, 24. 6. 2025: Fico – každá krajina má právo určiť si tempo výdavkov na obranu.

Slovakia should withdraw from its defence cooperation agreement with the United States.

In between

Reasoning: Its caucus voted against the defence agreement with the US in 2022 and Fico wanted it scrapped, but in government it has only sought changes and has not terminated it.

Source: Noviny.sk, 27. 10. 2024: Minister obrany rokuje o zmenách v obrannej zmluve s USA.

⚖️ Smer on Rule of law and democracy

5 questions: 2 in favour, 1 in between and 2 against.

Slovakia should re-establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor to fight corruption.

Strongly against

Reasoning: In 2024 its caucus passed its government's criminal law reform that abolished the Special Prosecutor's Office; the bill came from its justice minister.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 106 (novela Trestného zákona), 8. 2. 2024.

Non-governmental organisations funded from abroad should be subject to stricter state oversight.

Strongly in favour

Reasoning: In 2025 its caucus voted for the NGO law; in 2023 Fico said NGOs funded from abroad would automatically be "foreign agents".

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 245 (zákon o mimovládnych neziskových organizáciách), 16. 4. 2025.

The Prosecutor General should keep the power to annul final decisions by the police and prosecutors (the so-called Section 363).

Strongly in favour

Reasoning: In 2023 the party said the prosecutor general's power to annul final pre-trial decisions (Section 363) is a basic precondition for the prosecution service to work.

Source: SMER – SD, web strany, 22. 6. 2023: Prezidentka a vládni poslanci útočia na § 363.

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 against

Reasoning: In 2024 its caucus passed its government's law replacing RTVS with STVR, whose board is mostly appointed by the government and parliament.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 278 (zákon o Slovenskej televízii a rozhlase), 20. 6. 2024.

A referendum should be valid even if fewer than half of eligible voters take part.

In between Estimated position

🤝 Smer on Values and society

4 questions: 1 in favour, 1 in between and 2 against.

Same-sex couples should be able to register their partnership legally.

Strongly against

Reasoning: It stands for the traditional family and its government enshrined marriage as a man-woman union in 2025; in 2026 Fico called for blocking registration of same-sex marriages from abroad.

Source: Noviny.sk, 28. 5. 2026: Fico vyzýva na ďalšiu zmenu ústavy, chce zabrániť uznaniu homosexuálnych manželstiev.

Abortion should be more restricted than it is now.

Against

Reasoning: In 2023 its caucus backed neither the bill to restrict abortion nor the one to widen it: most abstained. It does not propose changing the current law.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 1369 (novela zákona o umelom prerušení tehotenstva, M. Čepček), 14. 2. 2023.

Ethical issues such as marriage or adoption should be decided only by each country, not by the EU.

Strongly in favour

Reasoning: Its government proposed, and its caucus passed in 2025, the constitutional amendment reserving cultural and ethical matters such as marriage to Slovakia's sovereignty.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 733 (novela Ústavy SR), 26. 9. 2025.

Possessing a small amount of cannabis for personal use should remain a criminal offence.

In between

Reasoning: Its justice minister sought to separate possession for personal use from production and dealing to avoid "draconian" sentences; its caucus passed that reform in 2024.

Source: Noviny.sk, 23. 12. 2023: Minister spravodlivosti avizuje nižšie tresty za drogy.

🗣️ Smer on Minorities

4 questions: 0 in favour, 1 in between and 3 against.

In municipalities with a large Hungarian population, Hungarian should be an official language alongside Slovak.

Against

Reasoning: Its 2023 manifesto calls for reviewing schools in mixed areas so everyone masters the state language, while praising its 2016 coalition with the Hungarian party Most-Híd.

Source: Návrat dôstojnosti do života ľudí (volebný program 2023), s. 6.

The 2025 law that makes it a crime to question the Beneš decrees should be repealed.

Strongly against

Reasoning: In December 2025 its caucus passed its government's criminal code amendment punishing those who question the post-war order, that is, the Beneš decrees.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 1115 (novela Trestného zákona), 11. 12. 2025.

People who acquire another country's citizenship should be able to keep their Slovak citizenship.

Against

Reasoning: In 2022 most of its caucus voted against the reform letting people keep Slovak citizenship if they lived five years in the country whose citizenship they acquire.

Source: Hlasovanie NR SR, tlač 440 (novela zákona o štátnom občianstve), 16. 2. 2022.

The state should invest more in integrating marginalised Roma communities, for example in pre-school education and housing.

In between Estimated position

🌱 Smer on Energy and climate

2 questions: 0 in favour, 0 in between and 2 against.

Slovakia should stick to the EU goal of reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

Against

Reasoning: Its 2024 EU manifesto rejects the Green Deal as "extreme" and calls for revisiting the 55% emissions cut by 2030; it does not mention the 2050 goal.

Source: Za mier v Európe! (program do volieb do EP 2024), s. 3.

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

Against

Reasoning: In 2025 Fico said the government considers the 2035 ban on selling combustion-engine cars unworkable without changes, and called for a delay or new conditions.

Source: Startitup, 9. 10. 2025: Premiér Fico – zákaz predaja áut so spaľovacími motormi do roku 2035 je nezrealizovateľný.

🌍 Smer on Migration

1 question: 1 in favour, 0 in between and 0 against.

Slovakia should make it easier for foreign workers to come and work in sectors with labour shortages.

In favour

Reasoning: In 2023 Fico called for cutting the time it takes legal migrants with skills Slovak firms need to obtain permits, while the party rejects illegal migration.

Source: Noviny.sk/TASR, 17. 11. 2023: Smer-SD chce vyhrať aj ďalšie voľby (slávnostný snem).

“Estimated position” means we have inferred it from the party's manifesto and statements as a whole, without a document that states it explicitly. If you know of one, write to us: we will correct it and cite it.

Frequently asked questions about Smer

Is Smer a left-wing or right-wing party?

On our political compass, calculated from the party’s positions on the test statements, Smer is on the left on the economy (−54) and on the conservative side on values (+50), on a scale from −100 to +100.

What does Smer support most strongly?

Smer fully agrees with these statements:

The state should hold a majority stake in large energy companies.
Slovakia should be able to keep buying Russian gas and oil after 2027.
Non-governmental organisations funded from abroad should be subject to stricter state oversight.
The Prosecutor General should keep the power to annul final decisions by the police and prosecutors (the so-called Section 363).
Ethical issues such as marriage or adoption should be decided only by each country, not by the EU.

What does Smer oppose most strongly?

Smer fully disagrees with these statements:

Everyone should pay the same rate of income tax, whatever they earn.
Only people with low pensions should receive the 13th pension.
Slovakia should resume sending state military aid to Ukraine.
The EU should be able to decide foreign policy by majority vote, without any single country having a veto.
If the EU does not change fundamentally, Slovakia should hold a referendum on whether to stay in it.
The EU should be able to freeze EU funds for countries that do not respect the rule of law.

Which parties are closest to Smer?

On the test statements, Smer is closest to Hlas (89% agreement) and furthest from SaS (39%).

Where do these positions come from?

Of the 42 positions, 36 are based on a document (manifesto, National Council vote or public statement) linked next to each statement; 6 are estimates. Last reviewed 16/10/2026.

How well do you match Smer?

Don't stay in doubt: take the test and find out your real match percentage with Smer and with all the other parties, topic by topic.

Take the political test