Slovaks will choose between pro-EU diplomat Ivan Korczok and Robert Fico's coalition partner Peter Pellegrini in Saturday's presidential election, but one analyst and the opposition say Slovakia's Liberal Democratic Party It warns that while the fate of the doctrine is at stake, it could strengthen domestic extremist forces. european union.
The candidates' current preferences are unusually even, with most polls showing both candidates have a 50 percent chance of winning.
Analyst To tell Pellegrini is loyal to Roberto Fico's coalition as a potential president, while Korczuk continues the legacy of current pro-Western president Zuzana Čaputova, who has opposed the government's controversial policies (such as reforms). right. criminal law.
Grigory Mesedhnikov, a political scientist and head of the Institute of Public Affairs, said Pellegrini's victory could threaten Slovakia's liberal democracy.
“The preservation of liberal democracy is at stake in this election. I am not saying that it is already being eradicated or that a liberal democratic president like Kolchok can save everything, but It was not possible because the government does not have as much power as the government,” the expert told Euractic Slovakia.
“But if Mr. Pellegrini is elected, the process (of the collapse of liberal democracies) will proceed quickly and without major obstacles,” Mesezhnikov added.
Opposition Slovak parliament member Vladimir Bilchik (EPP) agreed with the experts and said Slovakia had two options.
They can choose Mr. Kolchok, who will be a “yellow card for the government of Roberto Fico and its anti-liberal democracy”, or Mr. Pellegrini.
In that case, “no one will stand in the way of Slovakia's prime minister, of which Viktor Orbán is a great example,” Bilchik told Euractic Slovakia. Opposition MPs in Slovakia also argue that a victory for Mr Pellegrini would be a step in the wrong direction for the EU.
“Mr. Pellegrini's victory will strengthen extremist forces in Europe. His escalating pro-Russian rhetoric during the presidential election endeared him to them. will also benefit from their votes,” Bilchik added.
“War or Peace President”
Meanwhile, Mr Pellegrini said Mr Kolchok's aim to create a counter-force to the government of Roberto Fico was “completely wrong”. He has announced his candidacy, promising cooperation with the government and “peace.”
He also describes Kolchok as a “war president” because of their differing views on the Ukraine war.
Mr. Kolchok has been an enthusiastic supporter of Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in 2022, but Mr. Pellegrini insists that “there is no military solution to the war” and Mr. Fico's position not to send weapons to Kiev. I sympathize with this.
In the joint statement The paper, published on Wednesday, said Fico's coalition parties have expressed support for Pellegrini, saying Korczuk would be a “president who serves foreign interests” who “threats national stability and social peace.” He claimed to be deaf.
“If elected, Ivan Kolchok will seek to create a second power center with the full and uncritical support of foreign NGOs, progressive and liberal media, and the current political opposition. , will amateurishly interfere in the outcome of the 2023 democratic parliamentary elections,” reads an official Slovak government statement.
According to Smer, SNS and Flas, Korczok also referred to pro-Western President Andrej Kiska (2014-2019), saying he had “undermined the concept of a sovereign Slovak foreign policy and We will continue on that path.” and Zuzana Čaputová (2019-present).
The ruling party did not provide any evidence to support the charges against Kolchok.
European electors predict that the race will be close.
Slovakia is facing difficulties
Since Fico came to power in October 2023, Slovakia has faced the following situation: Increased feeling of isolation.
Last month, he was not invited to a conference call regarding Ukraine. The decision came just a day after the Czech government suspended government-to-government cooperation with Slovakia, citing major differences in views on the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to former Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nai, Slovakia was no longer invited to other closed forums within the EU and NATO because of its pro-Russian stance.
Domestically, the Slovak government has passed several controversial laws.
These include: criminal lawa bill to abolish and tighten the Special Prosecutor's Office State control over public broadcasting And most recently, a bill was introduced that would introduce a label for some NGOs.Organizations receiving support from foreign countries”.
These movements caused strong emotions Criticism from the EU and led by the popular opposition protests Nationally.
(Natalia Silenska | Euractiv.sk)
