Smer

Smer is a political party in Slovakia, founded in 2005 by Robert Fico. It is a center-right party, although it has been described as centrist or even left-of-center due to its support for social welfare programs. Smer is the largest party in the National Council, the Slovak parliament, and has been the ruling party since 2006. The party's name translates to "Direction" or "Course" in English. Smer is known for its populist policies, including support for the working class and opposition to austerity measures. The party has a strong presence in the media and is often associated with the media mogul Ivan Kmety. Smer's policies often focus on economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection. The party has been criticized for its authoritarian tendencies and lack of democratic accountability. Despite these criticisms, Smer remains a significant political force in Slovakia.