OĽaNO

Slovakia (), known as Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (, OĽANO) until 2023, is a populist political party in Slovakia. Founded in 2011 by former businessman Igor Matovič, the party champions anti-corruption, anti-elitist and anti-establishment sentiments. It is also frequently identified as a business-firm party.

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. Following the collapse of the governing coalition and subsequent snap election in 2023, the party has been opposition once again.

History

Opposition (2012–2020)

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.

Government (2020–2023)

As Prime Minister (2020–2021), Igor Matovič's leadership was marked by a combative and chaotic style, leading to tensions within the coalition and his eventual resignation amid a government crisis. Though he stepped down as Prime Minister, he remained the leader of OĽaNO, with Eduard Heger—previously serving as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister under Matovič—succeeding him as Prime Minister (2021–2023). Heger was praised for his diplomatic approach, which facilitated more constructive governance, but his premiership was widely seen as weak and largely nominal, as his authority was undermined by Matovič and coalition partner Boris Kollár, Speaker of the National Council and leader of the coalition partner We Are Family, ultimately leading to his government's collapse.

A study by political scientist Pavol Baboš, ''Slovakia: Anti-Pandemic Fight Victim of Politicization'', highlights how the OĽaNO-led government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was marked by explicit populism in both politics and rhetoric. It describes how Prime Minister Igor Matovič created a parallel structure outside the country’s established legislative framework for crisis management, which some viewed as unconstitutional. The study also notes that while the government faced significant instability and internal conflicts, its stance on European integration and Euro-Atlantic cooperation improved during this period.

The government prioritized anti-corruption efforts, including the arrest of several high-profile figures accused of corruption from previous administrations. These actions were framed as part of a broader campaign to restore public trust in state institutions. However, critics raised concerns about the politicization of these efforts and the potential undermining of judicial independence. The administration’s commitment to systemic reform was often questioned due to inconsistencies in implementation and a perceived lack of long-term strategy.

Opposition (2023–present)

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

Ideology and platform

Described as a valence populist party, it eventually adopted a generally conservative outlook while maintaining its anti-corruption and anti-elitist rhetoric. Party leader Igor Matovič endorsed the 2015 referendum initiated by Alliance for Family, voting against the introduction of same-sex marriages, adoptions and compulsory sex education in state schools. Before the 2020 parliamentary election, Matovič announced that his party would not join a coalition government that wanted to establish civil unions or loosen drug policy.

Frequently identified as a business-firm party, 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.

Election results

National Council

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.

OĽaNO and Friends: Ordinary People, Independent Candidates, NOVA, Free and Responsible, Pačivale Roma, Magyar Szívek

The party legally changed its name before the election to represent its internal factions and to integrate NOVA members within its list.

European Parliament

Presidential

Notes

References

Further reading

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Ordinary People and Independent Personalities
Centre-right parties in Europe
Conservative parties in Slovakia
Opposition to same-sex marriage in Europe
Opposition to sex education in Europe
Populist parties
Freedom and Solidarity breakaway groups
Political parties established in 2011
2011 establishments in Slovakia
Organizations that oppose LGBTQ rights in Slovakia
Right-wing populism in Slovakia
European Conservatives and Reformists Party member parties
Member parties of the European People's Party