Progressive Slovakia suspends membership of major donor amid internal conflict

Progressive Slovakia, the country's main opposition party, suspended the membership of Martin Pekár on Friday evening following an unexpected internal conflict. Pekár served as the party's transportation expert and was its third-largest financial backer, having loaned and donated nearly half a million euros to the movement in the past. The suspension comes as the liberal party faces mounting pressure in opinion polls from Smer-SD, the ruling social-democratic party led by former Prime Minister Robert Fico. Progressive Slovakia emerged as a major political force in recent years, positioning itself as a pro-European alternative to the current government, but internal disputes could undermine its standing as Slovakia's primary opposition party ahead of future elections.