Slovak PM Fico: ‘EU’s democratic system is broken and Romania proves it’

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticised the European Union, arguing that democracy in the bloc was no longer functioning properly.

Speaking to Mario Nawfal on X on February 26, Fico blasted the EU’s handling of the Romanian presidential election annulment late last year, calling it a clear example of the bloc’s democratic failures.

“I am really disappointed that the EU calmly accepted the annulment of the first round of Romania’s presidential election,” Fico said.

“The moment someone wins an election they weren’t supposed to win, they are immediately attacked, and unprecedented steps are taken,” he added.

Fico’s remarks were posted on X the same day that right-wing Romanian presidential candidate Călin Georgescu was arrested, further fuelling concerns over political suppression within the bloc.

The Slovak leader also expressed his agreement with US Vice President JD Vance’s recent speech at the Munich Security Conference, where Vance criticised Romania’s election annulment and warned about the erosion of democratic values in Europe.

“How can you cancel the first round of a presidential election and pretend everything is fine? That’s the problem with European democracy,” Fico said.

“That’s why JD Vance was correct when he said we have a problem with values.”

Beyond Romania, Fico accused the EU of silencing overall dissenting voices across the bloc.

“The moment you have an opinion that contradicts the mainstream opinion, they try to liquidate you,” he claimed.

He also mentioned his “politically motivated” assassination attempts in 2024 and said he was targeted for his views on the Ukraine war.

Fico was not alone in his criticism.

His arguments echoed those of free-speech advocate MEP Fidias Panayiotou, who accused the EU of silencing voices under the pretext of disinformation.

“The delusion that the enemies of democracy will be defeated by banning democracy spreads like a deadly virus,” Varoufakis added.

He also criticised USAID’s influence over European media and NGOs, arguing that the organisation was operating in Slovakia and had been serving US interests and adding that no country should interfere in the affairs of another.