Slovakia will advance to a second round of presidential elections on April 6 since no candidate managed to secure over 50% of the vote in Saturday’s elections.
A pro-western career diplomat emerged victorious in the first round of Slovakia’s presidential election on Sunday, defeating a close ally of the country’s populist Prime Minister, Robert Fico.
Former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok secured 42.13% of the votes late Sunday, with almost all polling stations counted by Slovakia’s Statistics Office.
This outcome sets up a runoff between Korčok and Peter Pellegrini, who came in second with 37.28% of the votes.
As no candidate has attained an outright majority, the runoff is scheduled for April 6 in the central European nation of 5.4 million people.
Štefan Harabin, a former justice minister and judge known for his pro-Russia stance in the Ukraine conflict, trailed behind in third place with 11.79%.
In total, nine male candidates vied for the position, aiming to become Slovakia’s sixth head of state since gaining independence in 1993 after Czechoslovakia split in two.
Korčok described the outcome as “encouraging” and “promising,” but also emphasised the need for additional efforts to secure victory in the upcoming runoff.
“I intend to engage with all voters,” he stated.
Korčok, who has also served as Slovakia’s ambassador to the United States and Germany, strongly advocates for his country’s membership in the EU and NATO.
Despite being initially seen as a frontrunner, Pellegrini’s lead in the polls suggested he would prevail in the runoff against any opponent.
Pellegrini graciously congratulated Korčok on his first-round victory and anticipated a closely contested runoff.
“The upcoming race is expected to be highly competitive,” remarked Pellegrini.
A win for Pellegrini, who currently holds the position of Parliament speaker, would consolidate Fico’s influence by granting him and his allies control over strategic positions.
Aged 48, Pellegrini, a proponent of an active state role, leads the left-wing Hlas (Voice) party, which secured third place in the parliamentary elections on September 30. His party formed a coalition government with Fico’s leftist Smer (Direction) party and the ultranationalist Slovak National Party.
The new government promptly ceased arms deliveries to Ukraine.
Recently, thousands of Slovaks have taken to the streets to protest against Fico’s pro-Russian stance and other policies, such as proposed changes to the penal code and attempts to control public media.
Critics fear that under Fico’s leadership, Slovakia may stray from its pro-Western stance and emulate the direction taken by Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Pellegrini stated on Saturday that Slovakia’s membership in the European Union and NATO remains unquestioned.
“Discussing a more sovereign voice for Slovakia or a sovereign foreign policy doesn’t necessarily imply a shift in the fundamental direction of our foreign policy,” remarked Pellegrini.
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