On January 21, 2025, members of Slovakia's opposition parties left the parliamentary chamber in protest against the decision to hold a closed session regarding a vote of confidence for Prime Minister Robert Fico's government.
The confidence vote, originally scheduled for that day, was postponed after opposition leaders withdrew their proposal to initiate a vote of no confidence to avoid voting without their presence. Prime Minister Fico justified the closed session by stating that a confidential report from the Slovak Information Service (SIS) was to be presented, which contained serious information about organized efforts aimed at destabilizing the Slovak Republic.
Opposition leader Michal Šimečka of the Progressive Slovakia party criticized the ruling coalition for intentionally derailing the confidence vote to conceal discussions of its failures from the public. He, along with representatives from several opposition parties, announced plans for a new session regarding the trust in Fico's leadership.
On January 14, opposition parties including Progressive Slovakia, Freedom and Solidarity, Christian Democrats, Slovakia, For the People, and Christian Union held a joint press conference to express their intention to initiate a vote of no confidence against Fico's government.
Fico has faced criticism for his foreign engagements, particularly his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2024, which raised concerns about Slovakia's energy policies and its implications for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts.
Fico's recent comments have also drawn backlash, as he expressed frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and suggested a meeting to discuss gas transit issues, which has yet to materialize.