Slovakia (political party)

Slovakia (Slovensko), known as Ordinary People and Independent Candidates (Obyčajní ľudia a nezávislé osobnosti, OĽaNO, before 2023), is a conservative political party in Slovakia. Founded in 2011 by former businessman Igor Matovič, the party has been characterized primarily as populist, championing anti-corruption, anti-elitist and anti-establishment sentiments.

The party served as the parliamentary opposition during two electoral terms: 2012–2016 and 2016–2020. In 2020, it emerged victorious in the parliamentary election and subsequently formed a coalition government. In government, the party advocated for conservative, familistic policies through the implementation of expanded social welfare and pro-natalist measures, while concurrently opposing the promotion of LGBT and reproductive rights.

In the 2016 and 2020 parliamentary election, the party integrated members of several minor parties within its list, not legally forming a coalition to avoid the imposed increased electoral threshold.

History


The initial four Ordinary People (OĽaNO) MPs were Igor Matovič, Erika Jurinová, Martin Fecko, Jozef Viskupič. OĽaNO sat in the National Council with Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), and signed an agreement with SaS that its members could not cross the floor to another group. In June and July 2010, it was rumoured that OĽaNO would refuse to back the programme of the new centre-right coalition, which included Freedom and Solidarity, and whose majority depended on Ordinary People.

In August 2010, Matovič said that it was not the right time to become an independent party. However, on 28 October 2011, Ordinary People filed a formal party registration, while Matovič announced that the party would compete in 2012 parliamentary election as a separate electoral list, of independents and representatives of the Civic Conservative Party and the Conservative Democrats. In the 2012 election, the party came in third place overall, winning 8.55% of the vote and 16 seats.

In the 2014 European elections, OĽaNO came in fourth place nationally, receiving 7.46% of the vote and electing 1 MEP.

In the 2016 parliamentary election, Ordinary People ran in alliance with New Majority. They received 11.02% votes in Slovakia and consequently 19 MPs in the Slovak Parliament, 17 of whom came from Ordinary People.

In 2014–2019, the party was member of European Parliament group of European Conservatives and Reformists and in 2019 switched to the European People's Party group.

At the February 2020 parliamentary election, the Party received 25.0% of the vote, winning a 53 of 150 seats in the National Council. Party leader Igor Matovič was appointed as the Prime Minister designate.

On 25 October 2023, the party changed its name to Slovakia.

Ideology and platform
Initially a big tent populist party, it eventually adopted a generally conservative outlook while maintaining its anti-corruption and anti-elitist rhetoric. Although conservative voices were always present in OĽaNO, their influence became significant after the 2020 parliamentary election. Party leader Igor Matovič endorsed the 2015 Slovak referendum initiated by Alliance for Family, voting against the introduction of same-sex marriages, adoptions and compulsory sex education in state schools. Before the last election, Matovič announced that his party would not join a coalition government that wanted to establish civil unions or loosen drug policy. At the same time, Christian Union merged into the party, presenting bills restricting abortions with major party support.

OĽaNO lacks any internal democratic structures, and Matovič decides on the composition of the electoral list, admission of members and political nominations. The use of public subsidies for the party is considered non-transparent and similar to a private company rather than a political entity. OĽaNO claimed to have 50 members as of 31 December 2021.

It has been described as a valence populist party.

Ordinary People and Independent Personalities, (OĽaNO)
The party integrated Civic Conservative Party and Conservative Democrats of Slovakia members within its list; however, both parties withdrew from the list prior to the election due to a dispute with OĽaNO.

Ordinary People and Independent Personalities–NOVA, (OĽaNO–NOVA)
The party legally changed its name before the election to integrate NOVA and Change from Below members within its list.

Ordinary People and Independent Personalities–NOVA–Christian Union–Change from Below, (OĽaNO–NOVA–KÚ–ZZ)
The party legally changed its name before the election to integrate NOVA, Christian Union and Change from Below members within its list.

Ordinary People, Independent Candidates, NOVA, Free and Responsible, Pačivale Roma, Magyar Szívek, (OĽaNO and Friends)
The party legally changed its name before the election to represent its internal factions and to integrate NOVA members within its list.