Peter Pellegrini wins in Slovakia's Presidential Election

Tags: International News

Peter Pellegrini, a candidate backed by Slovakia's nationalist-leftist government, won the presidential election, strengthening the influence of Prime Minister Robert Fico, who holds pro-Russian views.

An Overview of the News

• Fico, serving his fourth term as prime minister, has shifted Slovakia's foreign policy toward Russia and reformed criminal law and media regulations, raising concerns about the rule of law.

• Pellegrini received 53.26% of the vote, while his pro-West rival Ivan Korčić received 46.73%, with almost all voting districts reporting.

• Although the powers of the Slovak President are limited, he can veto laws and nominate judges to the Constitutional Court, which could potentially influence political conflicts over Fico's reforms, especially regarding corruption penalties.

• Fico's coalition, which also includes Pellegrini's party, halted official arms shipments to Ukraine, reflecting their stance against Western involvement in the conflict.

About Slovakia

• It is officially known as the Slovak Republic, located in Central Europe.

• It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west and the Czech Republic to the northwest.

• Slovakia is a landlocked country, meaning it has no direct access to the sea.

• Its neighboring countries create a diverse geopolitical landscape within Central Europe.

• The borders with Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic define the territorial extent of Slovakia.

Capital - Bratislava

Official language - Slovak

Prime Minister - Robert Fico

Currency - Euro