Political situation in Slovakia

Viktor Orbán, refugees near the border between Serbia and Hungary, Robert Fico (Archive images) TT  

Orbán's rule is blamed for Slovakia's migrant flow  

In recent weeks, the number of migrants who entered illegally from Hungary to southern Slovakia has increased significantly, reports DW. In Nove Zamky, hundreds have temporarily settled in the city center and residents of the small town testify to more people sleeping on the streets, more smelly garbage and noise.  

Even in cities further from the border and at the train station in the capital Bratislava, it is noticeable that the number of migrants, mainly from Syria, has increased.  

According to Reuters, there is no clear explanation why so many more have come to Slovakia right now.  But observers believe there are links to next week's election. Former Prime Minister Robert Fico is an opponent of mobility within the EU and advocates passport controls against Hungary. According to DW, some Slovak politicians believe that Hungary's Orbán-led government may be behind the increasing migrant flows in order to help Rico win the election.  

Robert Fico meets voters in Michalovce, Slovakia. Petr David Josek / AP  

Eastern European experts: If Fico wins, Ukraine aid will be reduced  

If Slovakia's former Prime Minister Robert Fico is re-elected next weekend, major changes await in foreign policy, above all support for Ukraine will decrease. That's what Eastern Europe expert and author Peter Johnsson tells TT. 

- Slovakia has been a strong supporter, so it is clear that it is a break. Above all, there will be another voice in the world and in Europe in addition to Viktor Orbán who thinks that you should not get involved in the war, he says.  

Politically, Fico is close to Hungary's Prime Minister Orbán, according to Johansson. This despite the fact that when he first took office, Smer was called a social democratic party. Now it is to be regarded as a populist right-wing party, accor