Smer-SD is currently the strongest party in the Slovakia�s government and the largest mainstream party in Slovakia. It was founded in 1999 as a result of the defection from the post-communist Party of the Democratic Left by Robert Fico, who has remained the key person in the party. The paper describes the brief history of Smer-SD, its organisational structure, election results and position in the Slovakia�s political landscape. Moreover it analyses the values and programme of the party and its cooperation with other domestic and international actors. In conclusion the author of the paper reflects the main challenges for Smer-SD and gives some recommendations to deal with them.