Ukraine-skeptic government ally Peter Pellegrini won Slovakia's presidential election on Saturday, defeating pro-Western diplomat Ivan Korcok.
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Korcok, backed by the opposition, conceded defeat after a near-perfect result showed he had won 47% of the vote to former prime minister Pellegrini's 53%.
“I'm very happy,” Pellegrini said in Bratislava, pledging to “ensure that Slovakia remains on the side of peace and not on the side of war.”
Before the run-off, Pellegrini said he was pushing for peace talks with Russia. Korkok insisted that Ukraine should not give up her territory to achieve peace.
Differences over the Ukraine war dominated the runoff, as the two candidates for the largely ceremonial post had diametrically opposed views on the conflict.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has become an election threat in the EU and NATO member state of 5.4 million people, as populist Prime Minister Roberto Fico, an ally of Mr. Pellegrini, has questioned Ukraine's sovereignty and called for peace with Russia. It became a standard.
The governments formed since October include Fico's Smer party, Pellegrini's Fras party and a small far-right social media group. Military aid to Ukraine has been suspended.
Mr Pellegrini, 48, thanked his coalition partners after his victory.
“War Candidate”
Colcock said he was “disappointed” but respected the result.
“I would like to express my belief that Peter Pellegrini will be independent and act according to his beliefs without orders,” the 60-year-old added.
“It turns out you can become president of the Slovak Republic by spreading hatred. You can also win the election campaign by making me a war candidate.”
Mr. Fico called Mr. Colcoc a “warmonger” in a video ahead of the runoff, which had 61% turnout.
The prime minister added: “We will support everything the Western countries say, including without hesitation, including dragging Slovakia into war.”
Fico supported Pellegrini as a “moderate candidate who recognizes the value of peace.”
Analyst Tomas Koziak told AFP that if Pellegrini wins, “Slovakia could go down the 'Orbán path',” referring to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is pro-Kremlin. Ta.
EU, NATO “strong member state”
Pellegrini insisted earlier on Saturday that the elections were “not about the future direction of Slovakia's foreign policy.”
He said that whatever the outcome, “we will remain a strong member of the European Union and NATO.”
Pellegrini served as prime minister from 2018 to 2020 after Fico was ousted from the premiership following the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiance.
The double murder sparked mass rallies and forced Fico's resignation, as Kuciak was grappling with links between the Italian mafia and Smer SD.
Pellegrini will replace outgoing President Zuzana Kaptova, who, like Korcok, is staunchly pro-Ukrainian.
A second round was forced because no candidate received 50% of the votes in the first round last month.
Although this position is largely ceremonial, the Slovak president has the power to ratify international treaties and veto votes passed by parliament, and has the power to appoint the supreme court.
This position also serves as the supreme commander of the military.
Pellegrini will take office on June 15th.
(AFP)
