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Voice – Social Democracy ( Slovak : Hlas – sociálna demokracia , Hlas ), is a social democratic and populist political party in Slovakia . It was founded in 2020 by dissidents from Direction – Social Democracy (Smer) led by former prime minister Peter Pellegrini . In October 2022, it was admitted as an associate member of the Party of European Socialists (PES), although its membership was later suspended in October 2023.

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44-468: Hlas (meaning "Voice" in Czech and Slovak) may refer to: Voice – Social Democracy , a Slovak political party Hlas (Czech political party) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Hlas . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to

88-576: A bribe of €150,000 for political support for the adoption of a virtual treasury. As of January 2023 , the National Crime Agency has not filed charges in this case. In 2018, Pellegrini had a property case, having bought a luxury apartment in Bratislava for €410,000. According to his property declaration, Pellegrini was to cover €246,000 from his own income and borrow the remainder, despite reports suggesting that since 2006 he has earned

132-468: A close partnership with Hungary under Fidesz rule and Poland under the Law and Justice party. He has been described as having close relations with Fidesz politicians. SNS entered the current Slovak government after Chairman Ján Slota and Robert Fico agreed to create a coalition government. This created an unusual situation of an alleged far-right party, SNS being accepted and taken as a partner by SMER ,

176-610: A contributing factor. One high-profile fascist allegation was when in 2006 in a live interview with Inforadio , a politician of the Party of the Hungarian Coalition , Miklós Duray described SNS as a "fascist party". Duray said "one third of the Slovak government is made up of Slota's party which is fascist" describing the 2006 governing coalition between Robert Fico 's Smer, Ján Slota 's SNS, and HZDS , making SNS one of

220-486: A legal right of correction to media reports that might damage an individual's reputation. The SNS has also proposed legislation that would subject NGOs receiving over €5,000 a year in foreign funding as "organisations with foreign support" and subject them to increased scrutiny, similar to legislation that had been previously enacted in Hungary. Although the party does not question Slovak membership of NATO, it opposes

264-406: A more conservative stance, especially on social issues, the party refuses to promote liberalism on social issues, which it argues are not in demand. Party vice-chairman Erik Tomáš was quoted as saying: "We have a conservative voter if we talk about polls, and I can assure everyone that we have our priorities, and they are not opening up some liberal issues." In July 2024, Erik Tomáš also said that

308-559: A new European Parliament group, though it ultimately did not win seats at the 2014 European Parliament election . In 2024, the SNS was announced as a new member of the Identity and Democracy Party , though the SNS did not become a member of its successor, Patriots.eu . Slota invited Jean-Marie Le Pen , the then-leader of the FN, to visit Slovakia in 1997, after Slota attended a congress held by

352-659: A party convention and expressed his intention to run for party chairman. The political party was announced on 29 June 2020 and registered by the Ministry of the Interior on 11 September 2020. The party was launched by the former prime minister Peter Pellegrini. On the day of the launch of the new party, Pellegrini left Smer–SD, along with ten more of the party's members of the National Council . It had to obtain 10,000 signatures by 25 December 2020 to be registered as

396-493: A party describing itself as leftist. Three SNS ministers were sworn in on 4 July 2006: Further ministers, delegated by SNS: The coalition agreement between Smer-SD and SNS resulted in the suspension of Smer-SD from the Party of European Socialists (PES). The PES considered SNS a "political party which incites or attempts to stir up racial or ethnic prejudices and racial hatred." However, in 2008 Smer's membership suspension ended with no further PES's demands regarding SNS. In

440-654: A party. Pellegrini, Matúš Šutaj Eštok , and Peter Kmec formed the party's preparatory committee, and Pellegrini became the party's chairman. Until the end of the term, the 11 deputies were classified as non-inscrits within the National Council. Immediately after the party was formed, its support was about 16%. In October 2020, the party became the most popular for the first time, and remained ahead in most opinion polls until January 2023. After Pellegrini visited Olaf Scholz in March 2023, some commentators perceived

484-510: A policy of "non-cooperation" between Hungary and Slovakia belongs to the last century, condemning Slovakia's then-Foreign Minister Rastislav Káčer for suggesting that Hungary could make territorial claims against Slovakia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The party has been described as spreading hate against the LGBTI+ community as recently as July 2023. In the past when Ján Slota

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528-482: A shift in the preferred Slovak party of the Party of European Socialists (PES) from Smer–SD to Hlas–SD, due to more radical rhetoric from the former party. Both parties were suspended from PES in October 2023 after forming a coalition with the far-right Slovak National Party . Hlas–SD states that it has a pro-European outlook and promotes traditional social-democratic goals within the welfare state . Reflecting

572-592: A single bid. Following the scandal, the SNS minister in charge of the contract was fired, and the European Commission has launched an investigation. In 2009 SNS proposed a law to create barriers for women seeking abortion in Slovakia. The SNS supports economic nationalism and advocates for domestic production and agriculture. While the party has been critical of privatisations , it has advocated tax cuts for small businesses. It opposed an increase in

616-656: A total of €460,000 from public office. In April 2022, as a part of the testimony of former President of the Financial Administration František Imrecze about an alleged criminal organization led by former prime minister of Slovakia and incumbent leader of Direction – Slovak Social Democracy Robert Fico , the current party deputy chairman Erik Tomáš was to illegally obtain compromising materials on their political rival and then opposition leader Igor Matovič by abusing state bodies. The National Crime Agency has not filed charges in this case because it

660-482: Is barred by the statute of limitations. Slovak National Party The Slovak National Party ( Slovak : Slovenská národná strana , SNS ) is an ultranationalist political party in Slovakia . The party characterizes itself as a nationalist party based on both social and European Christian values . Since 1990 SNS has won seats in every Slovak parliament but three (in 2002 , 2012 and 2020 ) and

704-479: The 2016 Slovak parliamentary election , the Slovak National Party won 8.64% of the vote, and joined Fico's Third Cabinet on 22 March. In April 2008, a map was published on the official web page discussion forum of the party where the territory of Hungary was divided between Slovakia and Austria, eliminating Hungary from the map. After receiving media attention the map was promptly removed and

748-520: The 2016 Slovak parliamentary election . In the next election in 2020 , the party again failed to meet the threshold for parliamentary representation. In the next election, SNS again returned in 2023 and once again formed a coalition government with Fico. The party was founded in December 1989 and perceives itself as an ideological heir to the historical Slovak National Party . The party declares its three pillars: Christian, national and social. One of

792-678: The European Parliament , which was dominated by the UK Independence Party (UKIP), and from 2011 to 2015 with the affiliated Movement for a Europe of Liberties and Democracy , which did not include UKIP but included other EFDD members such as United Poland and the Finns Party . In 2014, the SNS participated in exploratory meetings held by the European Alliance for Freedom regarding the formation of

836-537: The Slovak National Coalition – Slovak Mutuality ( Slovenská národná koalícia – Slovenská vzájomnosť ). However, only the Slovak National Party is currently relevant. In 2006, the SNS was the only Slovakian political party, which did not express his disagreement when a 23-year-old ethnic Hungarian girl was kicked and had the message "Hungarians, go back to the other side of the Danube" and "Death to

880-506: The 41 city council members in Žilina, where Slota was mayor at the time, voted to dedicate a plaque honouring Jozef Tiso , who was convicted and executed for the breaking up the Czechoslovak state and for collaboration with Nazi Germany. Later in a move that was described as absurd by a Slovak journalist, SNS demanded the seat of deputy prime minister responsible for human rights and national minorities. The party did not manage to obtain

924-615: The FN in Strasbourg. In 2019, Danko distanced himself from the FN's successor, the National Rally (RN), after it formed an alliance with the rival Slovak We Are Family party, suggesting that RN leader Marine Le Pen could break up the EU. Nevertheless, in 2022, Danko praised the possibility of a Le Pen victory in the 2022 French presidential election as positive for Visegrád Group countries. Since Slota's tenure as SNS leader,

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968-946: The French National Front (FN). From 2002 to 2009, the SNS was a member of the Alliance for Europe of the Nations alliance, alongside Poland's Law and Justice party, the Czech Civic Democratic Party , the Israeli Likud , the Danish People's Party , the Irish Fianna Fáil and the Italian National Alliance . From 2009 to 2014, the SNS was part of Europe of Freedom and Democracy (EFD) group in

1012-465: The National Council . He was elected vice-chairman of Smer–SD in 2014. Pellegrini succeeded Robert Fico as prime minister after the 2018 government crisis triggered by the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak . Fico remained the party chairman. Pellegrini led Smer–SD electoral list in the 2020 Slovak parliamentary election , while still serving as party vice-chairman. After winning 170,000 more personal votes than Fico, Pellegrini called for

1056-641: The SNS has had a close relationship with the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), previously listing it formally as a "partner party". However, disagreements over the Beneš decrees caused a brief rift between the parties, with the SNS supporting the exclusion of the FPÖ from the EFD in 2011. The relationship was later resumed under Danko, with the parties sharing election advice throughout the 2010s. Danko has advocated for

1100-467: The best policy for dealing with the Romani was "a long whip in a small yard." He is quoted as saying "we will sit in our tanks and destroy Budapest" and questioning if homosexuals are normal people. Slota stated that "The Hungarians are a cancer in the body of the Slovak nation ." Slota called the fascist leader Jozef Tiso "one of the greatest sons of the Slovak nation" and on 17 February 2000, 40 of

1144-427: The biggest events the SNS has participated in since then was the establishment of an independent Slovakia on 1 January 1993. The SNS has had deputies in the Slovak parliament in the years 1990–2002 and 2006–2012. The party also had deputies in the Slovak government. Marián Andel , Jozef Prokeš , Jaroslav Paška and Ľudovít Černák were in the second Mečiar government (1992–1994), Ján Sitek and Eva Slavkovská in

1188-436: The country's national public broadcaster, also citing "political activism". Danko has advocated a ban on education on gender identity and sexual orientation in Slovak schools. The party has called for stronger security measures against illegal immigration on EU external borders and has opposed EU asylum quotas. The SNS has submitted legislation to charge media publications money for information requests and introduce

1232-480: The intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hlas&oldid=1019647450 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Voice %E2%80%93 Social Democracy Several members of the party's presidium, including its founder Peter Pellegrini, are associated with bribery and abuse of power in

1276-416: The leadership of Ján Slota had been sometimes described as ultra-nationalist , Hungarophobic , right-wing extremist, and far-right , due to its statements about Hungarians and Romani which have been characterised as racist. The alleged party's major concern after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia has been the danger of " irredentism ". Any moves and changes toward broader rights for

1320-517: The leading private television station in Slovakia, which resulted in a court case Markíza v Slota . During the court proceedings Slota admitted to some of the crimes and even said he was proud of assaulting and beating a Hungarian saying "I am proud of giving that Hungarian a black eye ". Another physical assault was committed by Anna Belousovová of SNS against fellow parliamentarian Igor Matovič of SaS. The SNS politician slapped Matovič saying she disliked an article written by him. The party under

1364-482: The minimum wage that was proposed by its coalition partners, citing its impact on the state budget. During Fico's Fourth Cabinet , SNS Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová removed heads of major cultural institutions for their alleged "political activism", including the directors of the Slovak National Gallery and Slovak National Theatre . She also abolished Radio and Television of Slovakia ,

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1408-569: The national minorities living in Slovakia , especially the sizeable Hungarian minority living in southern Slovakia, was seen as a step toward territorial autonomy . The party had been known for its inflammatory rhetoric against ethnic Roma and Hungarians. The Party of European Socialists , considered SNS as a "political party which incites or attempts to stir up racial or ethnic prejudices and racial hatred." The former party's leader Ján Slota , referred to by Earthtimes as "a xenophobic politician who has stirred anti-Hungarian sentiments", said

1452-469: The parasites" written on her T-shirt. In 2008 a €120 million tender for establishing the rules and guidelines and logos for distribution of funds from the European Union, was won by a consortium of firms with close ties to SNS leader Ján Slota . The tender notice had been posted for only five days on a bulletin board in the ministry run by the SNS party behind a locked door, which resulted in

1496-581: The party has denied responsibility, referring to the free access policy of the forum section, where the map was posted. The former party leader Ján Slota is the source of considerable controversy, Slota is frequently criticized for arrogance, nationalism, and extremism. The Slovak Spectator reports that most of the media attention Slota receives is because of statements that cross "the line not just of political but also human decency." Documents about party leader Slota's criminal past, detailing arson, grand theft auto and assault, were broadcast by Markíza ,

1540-628: The party will support intentions of Smer-SD to fight against liberalism and progressive ideologies. Hlas–SD has been described as a catch-all party . In December 2020, the National Crime Agency charged the incumbent member of the party's presidium and former Minister of Environment in Pellegrini's cabinet Peter Žiga with bribery. According to the testimony of the former Deputy Minister of Justice in Pellegrini's cabinet Monika Jankovská (pleading guilty of bribery and abuse of power), Žiga

1584-611: The presence of a NATO base or logistics centre in Slovakia. It has stated it would not enter into a coalition government with the rival nationalist party, the Republic Movement , if the Republic Movement advocated a referendum on NATO membership. Though the SNS opposed the U.S.-Slovakia Defence Cooperation Agreement during Fico's Third Cabinet , the SNS Defence Minister, Peter Gajdoš, did support

1628-524: The purchase of U.S. fighter jets by Slovakia. The SNS condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine , but advocated peace talks between the two sides to resolve the conflict. The party opposes Ukrainian EU membership. Danko expressed support for relocating Slovakia's embassy in Israel to Jerusalem during a visit to Israel in 2018. From 1997 to 2002, the SNS was a member of Euronat , an alliance formed by

1672-508: The seat. The party abandoned anti-Hungarian rhetoric under Danko's leadership, praising Hungary under the leadership of Viktor Orbán as a model for Slovakia. Prior to the 2023 Slovak parliamentary election , Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó praised the Slovak National Party following a meeting with Danko, stating that "parties standing on national foundations always understand each other well" and emphasising their shared "Christian-conservative values". In 2023, Danko stated that

1716-416: The testimonies of cooperating defendants. In December 2020, the National Crime Agency charged Peter Žiga , a member of the party's presidium, with bribery. Party leader Peter Pellegrini joined Direction – Social Democracy (Smer–SD) in 2000. After being elected to the National Council in the 2006 parliamentary election , Pellegrini served in several positions as state secretary, minister and speaker of

1760-479: The third Mečiar government (1994–1998) and other deputies were in the government of Robert Fico from 2006 to 2010 (see below). Between 2001 and 2005 there was a Real Slovak National Party ( Pravá slovenská národná strana , PSNS), a party of SNS splinters, which remerged with SNS later. Since 2005, there is also a United Slovak National Party ( Zjednotená slovenská národná strana , ZSNS), also formed of former SNS members. In February 2006, PSNS changed its name into

1804-403: The three governing parties. SNS sued for financial damages, alleging the statement caused it loss of votes, image, and reputation. The District Court ruled that Duray was to pay one million crowns as a compensation and to apologize for his statements. The Slovak Supreme Court ultimately decided that SNS is not entitled for the financial compensation, because the party did not sufficiently document

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1848-410: Was its leader, the SNS party was accused of being a fascist party (or having its origins in a far right ideology ). The allegations are sometimes connected to various statements of party members or that SNS was behind "the continuing campaign to rehabilitate Jozef Tiso , head of the wartime fascist regime , which was responsible for the deportation of the country's Jews to the death camps" might also be

1892-458: Was part of the coalition government formed after the 2006 election with Robert Fico 's Direction – Social Democracy (Smer-SD). In the 2012 parliamentary election , SNS failed to meet the 5% electoral threshold and thus lost parliamentary representation. At the following party congress in October 2012, the delegates chose lawyer Andrej Danko as the new chairman of the party. Under Danko SNS returned to another coalition government with Smer-SD after

1936-412: Was to offer a bribe of €100,000 to the judge deciding the international dispute Gabčíkovo–Nagymaros Dams . In August 2021, former President of the Financial Administration František Imrecze and IT entrepreneur Michal Suchoba (both pleading guilty of bribery) testified that in 2014, incumbent party leader Peter Pellegrini then serving as Deputy Minister of Finance had asked for and subsequently received

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