Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, is considered a favorite in the race for the largely ceremonial post of Slovakia’s president. A victory for Pellegrini, who currently serves as Parliament speaker, would cement Fico’s power by having his allies control key posts in the country.
FILE - Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini delivers a speech at the National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic, on Nov. 17, 2019. Pellegrini, who currently serves as Parliament’s speaker, leads a field of nine candidates ahead of the first round of the Slovakia’s presidential election which will be held on Saturday March 23, 2024.
It would also deprive Slovakia and the European Union of a key pro-Ukrainian voice. Pellegrini hopes to succeed Zuzana Čaputová, a staunch backer of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s two-year invasion.A former liberal environmental activist, she has repeatedly come under attack from Fico over her support for Kyiv. Fico won last year’s elections on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform, and has also accused Čaputová of being a U.S. agent.
Pellegrini leads a field of nine candidates in the first round of the presidential election on Saturday. If no candidate gets a majority, which is expected, the top two finishers will face in a runoff on April 6.
They include former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok, 59. a pro-Western career diplomat. He had also served as the ambassador to the United States and Germany, and firmly supports Slovakia’s EU and NATO memberships. A former justice minister and judge, Štefan Harabin, 66, has openly sided with Russia in its war against Ukraine.The president picks the prime minister after parliamentary elections, swears in the new government and appoints Constitutional Court judges. The president can also veto laws, though Parliament can override the veto with a simple majority.
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