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Voters in Slovakia on Saturday strengthened the grip of Russia-friendly political forces in central Europe, handing victory to a presidential candidate who opposes offering navy and monetary help to Ukraine.
With 99 p.c of votes counted, official figures confirmed Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, because the winner of the presidential election with 53 p.c of the vote. Regardless of the restricted powers of the presidency in Slovakia, the election was extensively seen as a check of energy between political camps with radically completely different views on Russia.
The defeated candidate, former International Minister Ivan Korczak, is a staunch supporter of Ukraine and a critic of Mr Fico, a staunch veteran politician who has led Hungary to oppose help to Ukraine and problem mainstream opinion throughout the EU. Has fashioned an alliance with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. ,
Together with Mr Fico, Mr Pellegrini declared victory on Sunday morning, shortly after Mr Korkoc conceded defeat.
Mr Korkoc got here first amongst 9 candidates in an early spherical of voting on March 23, however misplaced a contest with Mr Pellegrini on Saturday, showing to take the votes that had gone to an anti-NATO nationalist within the first spherical. gone. Who stood third.
Within the pre-vote marketing campaign, Mr Pellegrini mimicked a technique utilized by Mr Orban throughout Hungary's 2022 election, through which his ruling celebration falsely claimed the primary opposition chief would again Hungarians to combat towards Russia in Ukraine. Wished to ship troopers. , Mr Pellegrini made the identical smear towards Mr Korkoc, portraying him as a warmonger intent on sending Slovak troops into Ukraine.
Mr Korkoc insisted he had no such plans – which the Slovak president has no energy to implement anyway – however he had hassle breaking by means of the online of disinformation unfold by pro-Russian web sites and social media accounts.
His defeat is a significant enhance for Mr Fico, who can now pursue his agenda with out interference from the presidency. It’s a marked change from the tenure of the late President Zuzana Caputova, who was an outspoken, pro-West liberal who opposed Mr Fico's leanings in the direction of Russia and his efforts to restrict the judiciary's capability to prosecute corruption. Had used his restricted powers for. She didn’t run for a brand new time period, saying she was drained “from an expert and humanitarian standpoint.”
Interrupted by Ms Caputova, Mr Fico averted confronting fellow leaders on Ukraine throughout an EU summit in Brussels. Nevertheless, Mr Pellegrini's election might result in a extra confrontational method like that of Hungary, a staunch dissident from the European bloc.
In public statements, Mr Fico has joined Mr Orban in selling “peace” in Ukraine, arguing that with out fast negotiations the battle would drag on indefinitely. Ukraine and its Western supporters think about an finish to the battle unattainable except Russia leaves the territory it occupies.
Mr Korcok, a profession diplomat who served as Slovakia's ambassador to Washington from 2018 to 2020, has dismissed requires a direct “peace” as an indication of Russia's aim of remaining on Ukrainian soil. . He helps the stance that offering navy and monetary help to Ukraine is the one option to convey a everlasting finish to the battle.
Mr Fico, a veteran politician who ended his earlier time period as prime minister by resigning in 2018 amid corruption allegations, has additionally known as for neutralizing the judiciary and portraying Ukraine's supporters as disloyal supporters of the US. I’ve adopted Mr Orban. State.
Mr Fico returned to energy after basic elections in September, reviving his political profession, which many had thought-about over when he took workplace amid huge road protests following the homicide of an investigative journalist investigating authorities corruption. Had left.
Pavol Struba in Bratislava contributed reporting.