SMER-SD closer to forming a government

A one hundred and eighty degree turn has occurred in the ongoing talks about Slovakia's future government. The vision of Freedom and Solidarity's Richard Sulík of a right-wing cabinet imploded as Most-Híd and #Sieť (Network) decided to negotiate with the left-wing SMER-SD. They changed their stances after the Slovak National Party ruled out talks with the right wing liberals at its Saturday's congress and opted for the social-democratic party of Robert Fico. If these four parties find an agreement, the combined formation of the left- and the right-wing will have 85 MPs. However, each party insists on the fulfilment of its conditions and it will depend on coalition negotiations whether they will be able to find a compromise. Speaking after negotiations with the Hungarian Most-Híd chief Béla Bugár at the Government Office, Fico said: "The first talks have shown that there aren't such differences that would stop us from continuing the debate." Neither the #Sieť leader Radoslav Procházka found any divisive issues at the first round of post-election talks on Sunday evening with Smer-SD. However, some of the MPs elected for #Sieť have already stated that if the party ends up in a coalition with Robert Fico, they will leave the party. Fico has until Friday to form the new government. If he fails in doing so, it will be the turn for Richard Sulík.