Slovak nationalist-left candidate Peter Pellegrini emerged victorious in the presidential election, receiving 53.26% of the vote against 46.73% for opposition candidate Ivan Korcok, Reuters reports.
Pellegrini’s win solidifies support for Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s policies, including a pro-Russian foreign policy shift and controversial criminal law and media reforms. Fico’s coalition, which includes Pellegrini’s party, halted Slovak weapon shipments to Ukraine, emphasizing a shift towards pro-Russian policies.
Pellegrini pledged to support the government’s agenda, prioritizing peace over war, and portrays opponent Ivan Korcok as a warmonger for supporting arming Ukraine. Korcok, a former envoy to the EU and US, concedes defeat, criticizing Pellegrini’s fear-based campaign tactics.
