Tough talking Robert Fico has begun his third term as political leader – and has already sparked outrage by continuing his pre-election rhetoric about how Islam is not welcome in his country.
Mr Fico has stepped up his anti-Muslim rhetoric, telling voters there is no room for multiculturalism.
In his first interview since his election this week with reporters,he said: “It may look strange but sorry… Islam has no place in Slovakia.
“I talked about it several times with the Maltese prime minister and he said the problem was not in migrants coming in, but rather in them changing the face of the country.”
Mr Fico fears that the arrival of thousands of Muslims “who will push through their case” would threaten the Cyrilo-Methodian traditions, on which Slovakia has been built.
The PM also said anyone who wants to be multi-cultural, “goes against the very essence” of the country and that it is “impossible” to integrate Muslims in Europe.
His comments could have big implications for the bloc’s policy as Slovakia will take over the presidency of the European Commission in three weeks.
It will be the first time Slovakia has held the position, which rotates through countries every six months, since joining the EU in 2004.
During this six-month period, the country will have a bigger role in setting the agenda for meetings at every level of EU council, and its ministers will chair key decision-making meetings in the second half of 2016.
And Brussels is worried, especially since the country’s refusal to participate in the EU’s refugee relocation scheme.
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