Slovaks will vote on Saturday to elect a new president, and the result will determine whether the EU and NATO members tilt further toward Russia amid deep rifts over the Ukraine war.
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Pro-Western former Foreign Minister Ivan Korkok, 60, and Ukraine skeptic Peter Pellegrini, 48, backed by the ruling populists, are vying to replace outgoing liberal President Zuzana Kaptova.
The two sides are facing off in a decisive second round after neither received at least 50 percent of the vote last month.
Although this position is largely ceremonial, the Slovak president ratifies international treaties, appoints the Supreme Court, is commander-in-chief of the military, and can veto laws passed by parliament.
In the final pre-election poll conducted by Focus Agency, it was a close race between Mr. Colcoc and Parliament Speaker Pellegrini, with Mr. Pellegrini receiving 51% of the vote and Mr. Colcoc receiving 49%.
“This presidential election is the closest in history,” said Vaclav Hillich, managing director of the AKO polling company.
Stefan Harabin, who came in third after criticizing the European Union and praising Russian President Vladimir Putin, did not formally endorse either candidate.
“Mr Harabin won an important 12%,” political analyst Thomas Koziak told AFP, adding: “Mr Korcok is unlikely to win that vote.”
According to AKO, more than two-thirds of Harabin voters intend to support Mr. Pellegrini.
But Fritsch said the election was “too close to call” and that turnout would be decisive.
“The more people vote, the better Peter Pellegrini's chances are because it means he has succeeded in persuading Harabin voters,” he said.
war and peace
Bratislava voter František Hažik cast his vote for Korcoc immediately after polling stations opened at 7am (5pm Japan time).
“I chose Ivan Korcok because I don't want Fico and his friends to take over all of Slovakia. He is a truly democratic politician,” the 31-year-old auditor told AFP.
Pensioner Helena Vaklavova, 67, supported Pellegrini, saying, “I only want what is good for this country.”
“He will protect us from everything and he will be a good president,” she said.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has become a staple of the country's election campaign, with Prime Minister Roberto Fico questioning Ukraine's sovereignty and calling for peace with Russia.
Pellegrini was a minister in Fico's previous government and prime minister from 2018 to 2020, when his longtime ally was ousted.
“I'm running for president to save Robert Fico's government,” Pellegrini said in a televised debate.
Mr Colcock fired back: “You want to protect the government. You want to protect Slovakia.”
Fico's government, which took office in October and includes his Smer party, Mr. Pellegrini's Fras and a small far-right social network, halted military aid to Ukraine.
“Mr. Korcok is a warmonger and will support everything the Western countries say without hesitation, including dragging Slovakia into war,” Fico said in the video.
He expressed his support for Pellegrini, saying he is a “moderate candidate who recognizes the values of peace.”
Government allies vs. government critics
“Slovakia's political community is divided between those who support the continuation of the war at all costs and those who demand the start of peace negotiations,” Pellegrini said.
“I belong to the latter,” he told AFP.
Korkok is a vocal critic of the government, backed by rebel groups, and is staunchly pro-Ukrainian.
“The Russian Federation has trampled on international law. I do not believe that Ukraine should give up part of its territory to achieve peace,” he told AFP.
Pavol Turanek, an electrical designer from Martin, northern Slovakia, praised Korcok.
“Kolcok is a true professional. Pro-democracy, pro-Western, pro-European. His values will not change depending on the polls,” the 50-year-old told AFP.
“This criminal regime is leading us into a pro-Russian dictatorship and has devastated our judiciary and finances. They really need a counterweight.”
Jana Mozorova, a former teacher in the eastern city of Košice, said she had the right to vote for Mr. Pellegrini.
“He has been around for many years and has never let anyone down,” the 66-year-old said.
Preliminary results are expected to be announced around midnight.
(AFP)
