Progressive sections in Slovakia have criticized the joint declaration signed by the three top state officials – the president, the prime minister and the chairman of the national council – on May 9. The declaration emphasizes that EU and NATO membership is vital for Slovakia. It also envisages increasing defense spending, along with the preparation of a new security strategy.
On May 12, the RESISTANCE – Labor Party raised concerns regarding the declaration and shared the criticism raised by Slovak analyst Eduard Chmelár. The analyst had said on May 9 that the state declaration on a common foreign policy is partly useless and partly harmful.
“The Slovakian state’s claim that NATO membership was our free will is a lie. The worst part of the declaration [is the one] in which the three highest constitutional officials undertake to increase military spending to 2% of GDP by 2024. Are these your priorities? Why haven’t we seen any joint statement that the highest constitutional officials are committed to maintaining citizens’ social security, tackling the climate crisis, increasing food security, or improving the state of our health care?” Chmelár said.
The Slovakian youth movement, Front of the Left Youth (FLM), also criticized the joint declaration. They noted it was especially unfortunate coming in the time of the COVID-19 crisis.
The joint declaration was ceremonially signed on the European Victory Day on May 9 on the premises of the Orangery at Bratislava Castle by president Zuzana Čaputová, prime minister Igor Matovič and the chairman of the national council, Boris Kollár.
