Volt could get a third MEP after Slovak snap election

Lucia Kleštincová, a substitute MEP for Progresívne Slovensko and co-leader of the Slovak Volt party, could enter the European Parliament after September’s parliamentary elections, making her the third MEP from the pan-European political party.

September’s snap election could also shake up Slovak representation in the European Parliament as multiple MEPs and substitutes are running for office and are planning to give up their EU seats in case they succeed.

For Progressive Slovakia’s candidate list, this means that Kleštincová, who is fourth in line for the mandate, may have a seat in the EU House, particularly as polls show that substitutes in front of Kleštincová are very likely to get their coveted spots in Slovakia’s parliament. Kleštincová is now the co-president of the Slovak branch of Volt, established earlier this year.

“I intend to respect the will of the voters who gave their vote for me to represent them,” Kleštincová said for EURACTIV Slovakia, adding that “Volt is a rising force. Watch for important progress in the European elections, if not before.”

At the EU level, only two Volt MEPs have seats in the European Parliament.

German MEP Damian Boeselager was elected in 2019, while Dutch MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld joined the movement in 2023 after leaving D66. Boeselager is a member of the Greens, and in ‘t Veld is a member of Renew. Kleštincová said she would consider multiple political groups. Progresívne Slovensko MEPs work under Renew today.

Volt is a federalist political party and an umbrella for Volt parties in multiple member states. Volt Slovakia announced plans to run in the 2024 European elections only this May. Kleštincová’s mandate would be short, lasting less than a year until next June.

The second substitute for Progresívne Slovensko could also be a member of a different political party. Jozef Mihál is first in line and is currently running for parliamentary election for Demokrati, but polls show they will unlikely pass the 5% quorum.

(Karol Slovik, Barbara Zmušková | EURACTIV.sk)