[1/2] SMER-SSD party leader Robert Fico walks outside his party's headquarters on the day of the country's early parliamentary election in Bratislava, Slovakia, September 30, 2023.
Fico, who analysts see inspired by Hungary's Viktor Orban, has said he has Slovak interests at heart and wants the war to end.
Born to a working-class family, Fico graduated with a law degree in 1986 and joined the then-ruling Communist party.
"He became the most prominent political representative of a movement against face masks or vaccination," said political analyst Grigorij Meseznikov.
Fico also swatted away accusations of graft that have dogged his party during his political career.
Persons:
Robert Fico, Eva Korinkova, Michal Vasecka, Fico, Hungary's Viktor Orban, Viktor Orban, Zuzana Caputova, George Soros, Jan Kuciak, Martina Kusnirova, SMER, Grigorij Meseznikov, Jan Lopatka, Michael Kahn, Michael Perry
Organizations:
REUTERS, Rights, European Union, Institute, Ukraine, NATO, Reuters, Communist, European Court, Human Rights, Democracy, Thomson
Locations:
Bratislava, Slovakia, Rights BRATISLAVA, European, Brussels, Europe, Ukraine, Russia, Hungary, Hungarian, France, Germany