Smer-SD to retain its membership in PES

Smer-SD will retain its membership in the Party of European Socialists (PES). "At the request of Smer-SD party, the PES Presidium at its Friday session discussed also the migration crisis and the misunderstood statements made by Smer-SD chair Robert Fico, which were misinterpreted by European media," reads the press statement released by Smer-SD, confirming that "the party continues to form a solid part of the Party of European Socialists". In late September, Gianni Pittella, chairman of the Socialists & Democrats (S&D) faction in the European Parliament objected to statements he claimed had been made by Robert Fico: "The position made clear by Mr Robert Fico that the 'mass migration of Muslim immigrants who would start to build mosques will not be tolerated' or regarding the 'restriction of the freedom of Muslims in Europe' or again that 'Slovakia is built for Slovaks, not for minorities', has embarrassed the whole Progressive family."