Prague - Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) believes in further close cooperation between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He wished the Slovaks that their post-election negotiations would lead to the formation of a good government. Andrej Babiš, the leader of the strongest opposition ANO movement, wishes the Slovaks a government that will work for the betterment of people's lives and defend the interests of Slovak citizens in Europe. The politicians were reacting to the result of the Slovak elections, which were won by Robert Fico's Smer-Social Democracy (Smer-SD) movement. According to former Czech President Václav Klaus, Fico's victory is a chance for a return to confident Slovak politics and a boost for the policies of neighbouring countries, including the Czech Republic.

Premiér Fiala uvedl, that the Czech Republic and Slovakia are linked by historical ties and proximity, but also by friendly relations. "I believe that we will continue to cooperate closely at government level to the benefit of both our countries," the Prime Minister said. He wished the Slovaks that the post-election negotiations would lead to the formation of a good government.

Deputy Prime Minister and head of the People's Party Marian Jurečka in Slovakia popřálto form a government that will maintain the country's pro-Western and pro-democratic orientation. Jurečka was pleased with the result of the Slovak People's Party, which will return to the Slovak National Council.

Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartos (Pirates) věříthat the future Slovak cabinet will continue the above-standard cooperation between the two countries. He also congratulated the head of Progressive Slovakia (PS), Michal Šimeček. The PS finished second by a wide margin. "Despite everything, he has shown that liberal politics has its place in the sun in Central Europe, and for that he deserves a big thank you," the Pirate leader added.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN), the result of the Slovak elections is both a warning and a lesson. "If we want to maintain liberal democracy in the Czech Republic, we must explain its benefits to those who do not currently benefit from them, or only a little," napsal ministr.

Leader of the opposition ANO movement Babiš napsal, that he wants Slovakia to have a government that will work for the betterment of the people at home and that will firmly defend the interests of all Slovak citizens in Europe. In addition to congratulating Fico on his victory, Babiš also praised the election result of the Voice of Social Democracy party, which came third. Fico was also congratulated by SPD leader Tomio Okamura.

ANO Vice-Chair Karel Havlíček told CNN Prima News that this is a victory of pragmatism over ideology. He does not think that there is a threat of a significant eastward drift of Slovakia, attributing the heated rhetoric mainly to the election campaign. Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS), on the other hand, recalled statements from the election campaign that pointed to Slovakia's possible departure from the EU towards Russia.

Former Czech Prime Minister and President Klaus in gratulaci the winner of the Slovak elections, said the voter believed in a credible politician who cared about his country and not about satisfying a powerful media-backed community. "This is a chance for a return to self-confident Slovak politics and it is also an impulse for politics in the countries of your neighbours, including the Czech Republic," Klaus wrote.

There was no direct personal congratulations to the winner of the Slovak elections from representatives of the Czech Government and other representatives of the coalition parties. President Petr Pavel has not yet commented on the results of the Slovak parliamentary elections.

Political scientist Josef Mlejnek of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University believes that Slovakia's foreign policy after the elections is likely to be more moderate than Fico's pre-election rhetoric. "I don't think Slovakia will completely change its orientation," Mlejnek told ČTK. Neither does Ladislav Mrklas, co-founder of the Cevro Institute, expect the country to withdraw from international organisations, for example. Nor do relations with the Czech Republic need to change if Czech politicians do not try to "educate Fico and tell him what to do," he added.

ČTK/Roz