Bratislava, 12 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Robert Fico is returning as Slovakian prime minister after his left-wing nationalist SMER-SSD agreed to form a three-party coalition on Wednesday with a social democratic and pro-Russian party, 11 days after the parliamentary election.

Another former prime minister Peter Pellegrini, leader of social democrats HLAS-SD, will take over as speaker of parliament. The smallest coalition partner will be the pro-Russian Slovak National Party or SNS.

Fico, previously prime minister from 2006-10 and 2012-18, announced after the signing of the coalition agreement that he wanted to have the government put together "as soon as possible." It is not yet clear when it could be sworn in.

The three parties guaranteed a foreign policy based on EU and NATO membership while "respecting Slovakia's national interests."

Fico had already announced during the election campaign that if he came to power, Slovakia would continue to help Ukraine after Russia's invasion, but no longer with weapons, only with civilian goods. The inclusion of SNS in the coalition only intensifies this aim.

Fico's party emerged as the strongest force in the September 30 election. Pellegrini's party came third behind the liberal PS party, which now finds itself in opposition.

Ľudovít Ódor has run a technocratic government since May following the collapse of a previous coalition and a caretaker government.

Photo: MIA archive