© Reuters. Election?posters present Slovak presidential candidates Peter Pellegrini and Ivan Korcok forward of the presidential election, in Trencin, Slovakia, March 22, 2024. The posters learn: “Let’s give Slovakia peace, satisfaction and dignity” (Peter Pellegrini) and “To ser
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By Radovan Stoklasa and Jason Hovet
BRATISLAVA (Reuters) -A professional-EU former Slovak international minister scored a shock victory within the first spherical of a presidential election on Saturday, establishing a run-off vote with a key ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Slovakia’s presidential election is an opportunity for Fico, whose views on Ukraine have angered critics for veering too near Russia, to strengthen his grip on energy. Opposition forces desire a larger counterbalance to his rule.
The federal government’s international coverage shift, makes an attempt to revamp the nation’s legal legal guidelines and clashes with media retailers have led to a sequence of protests and criticism from President Zuzana Caputova, 50, who has been a fierce opponent of Fico however didn’t search a brand new time period.
Ivan Korcok, 59, a profession diplomat who was international minister in a previous authorities, is in search of to comply with her and received essentially the most votes amongst 9 candidates within the election’s first spherical.
His 42.4% share of the vote, with 99.7% of districts counted, was above 37.1% for Peter Pellegrini, 48, the parliament speaker who heads junior authorities social gathering Hlas (Voice). The 2 will advance to a run-off on April 6.
A Russian-leaning former Supreme Court docket chief, Stefan Harabin, gained the third most votes at simply 11.75%, after getting assist from a nationalist social gathering that can be within the authorities coalition. His voters might give Pellegrini a lift within the run-off.
Fico and his ruling leftist Smer social gathering received a parliamentary election final September with pledges to halt navy assist to Ukraine and keep assist for folks hit by value surges.
Pellegrini, a former prime minister and ex-member of Smer, was a key determine in forming the coalition.
Korcok is in search of to forestall the federal government from gaining the seat of the president, a place that doesn’t wield many government powers however has a task in authorities and judicial appointments, vetoing legal guidelines and shaping public debate because the liberal Caputova has usually performed.
Voters prior to now have usually rejected giving ruling events each the federal government and presidential places of work, together with Caputova’s win in 2019 when anti-corruption sentiment harm Fico’s social gathering, which was in authorities then.
“This election will present whether or not mass protests which have taken place in Bratislava and different main cities in current weeks are additionally supported by individuals who often categorical their disapproval on the polling stations,” mentioned Radoslav Stefancik, a political analyst on the College of Economics in Bratislava, the capital.
SPLIT VIEWS ON UKRAINE
The struggle in Ukraine, excessive inflation and chaotic governance beneath an opposition-led coalition from 2020-2023 have polarised debate within the NATO and European Union member state.
Opinion polls earlier than Saturday confirmed Pellegrini main and being the possible winner in a run-off with Korcok.
Fico has abruptly shifted components of Slovakia’s international coverage, ending state navy provides to Ukraine – whereas nonetheless permitting industrial provide offers – and opening dialogue with Moscow even because the EU isolates the Russian regime.
Pellegrini has mentioned Slovakia will stay anchored within the EU and NATO however, like Fico, says the battle in Ukraine doesn’t have a navy resolution and helps peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow – a stance Korcok and different critics say is capitulation when components of Ukraine are occupied.
Fico’s coalition authorities has pushed legal regulation adjustments that critics say weaken the struggle towards corruption. Caputova, as president, has challenged the adjustments on the Constitutional Court docket.
The federal government’s choice to close a devoted state graft prosecution unit was closely criticised by the European Fee this week.
Fico’s administration is planning adjustments that can give it extra management over public broadcaster RTVS, elevating concern amongst advocates for press freedom. Korcok has criticised the federal government’s push for extra energy.
