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Russia and Ukraine are the details of rivalry between the 2 main candidates in a intently contested election.
Voters in Slovakia went to the polls on Saturday to elect a brand new president, selecting between pro-West opposition candidate Ivan Korcok and Peter Pellegrini, operating for the ruling nationalist Left coalition.
Voting closed at 10 pm native time (20:00 GMT). Preliminary estimates are anticipated quickly, with official outcomes anticipated in a single day.
In response to the ultimate opinion polls within the nation of 5.4 million folks, it was a decent race for the largely ceremonial put up.
Korçok received the primary spherical of voting final month, receiving 42.5 % of the vote, whereas Pellegrini got here in second with 37 % of the vote. There was a contest between the 2 within the decisive second spherical, as at the moment nobody had been in a position to win the minimal 50 %.
Korkoc, 60, served as Slovakia's overseas minister in 2020-2022 and earlier than that as ambassador to the USA and Germany. He was additionally the nation's ambassador to NATO and the European Union. Korkoc strongly helps Slovakia's EU and NATO membership.
In the meantime, Pellegrini, 48, is a detailed ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, identified for his pro-Russian insurance policies.
Pellegrini heads the leftist Halas (Voice) social gathering – which completed third in parliamentary elections final yr – and favors a stronger position for the state. His social gathering joined a governing coalition with Fico's leftist Smar (Course) social gathering and the ultranationalist Slovak Nationwide Social gathering.
Upon coming to energy in September, Fico's authorities instantly halted arms provides to Ukraine, sparking nationwide protests towards its pro-Russian stance and several other different insurance policies.
Pellegrini presently serves as parliament president and his victory would strengthen Fico's energy by giving him and his allies management over strategic positions.
sure government powers
Whereas Slovak presidents shouldn’t have many government powers, they will veto legal guidelines or problem them within the constitutional court docket. Additionally they nominate Constitutional Courtroom judges, who could possibly be key within the political battle over the destiny of Fico's reforms, which might dramatically cut back penalties for corruption.
Korçok has targeted on making it clear that he doesn’t need Fico and his coalition to carry government positions within the authorities, and likewise on talking out towards anti-Western coverage modifications by Fico.
“I wish to be in the beginning of a course of that may imply an enchancment within the lives of our folks, and naturally to make it clear,” Korkoc mentioned after voting in Senec, 35 km (20 miles) northeast of Bratislava. That's the place Slovakia is.”
Pellegrini has tried to painting Korkoc as pro-war for his help of arming Ukraine and urged he may lead Slovak troops into the conflict – which Korkoc has rejected.
However Pellegrini has been seen as extra average than Fico. “This isn’t concerning the future path of overseas coverage, I assure, like different candidates, that we are going to stay a powerful member of the EU and NATO,” he mentioned after voting in Rovinka on the outskirts. capital.
In the meantime, outgoing President Zuzana Caputova, a human rights lawyer who just isn’t looking for a second time period, criticized the war-related rhetoric in a televised tackle on Wednesday.
“I'm sorry that enjoying on concern was a part of this marketing campaign,” he mentioned.
“I’ve had the chance to know each presidential candidates throughout my five-year time period and I can say with a transparent conscience that neither Peter Pellegrini nor Ivan Korček will drag us into any conflict and any of our troopers Won’t be despatched to Ukraine. ,