An ally of Slovakia’s populist prime minister is favorite to win the presidential election

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Peter Pellegrini, a detailed ally of  populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, is thought-about a favorite in the race for the largely ceremonial submit of Slovakia’s president.

A victory for Pellegrini, who presently serves as Parliament speaker, would cement Fico’s energy by having his allies management key posts in the nation.

It would additionally deprive Slovakia and the European Union of a key pro-Ukrainian voice. Pellegrini hopes to succeed Zuzana Čaputová, a staunch backer of Ukraine in its battle in opposition to Russia’s two-year invasion.

Čaputová introduced she received’t search reelection. A former liberal environmental activist, she has repeatedly come beneath assault from Fico over her help for Kyiv. Fico received final 12 months’s elections on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform, and has additionally accused Čaputová of being a U.S. agent.

Pellegrini leads a discipline of 9 candidates in the first spherical of the presidential election on Saturday. If no candidate will get a majority, which is anticipated, the prime two finishers will face in a runoff on April 6.

WHO IS PELLEGRINI?

Pellegrini, 48, who favours a robust position for the state, heads the left-wing Hlas (Voice) get together that completed third in the Sept 30 parliamentary election. His get together joined a ruling coalition with Fico’s leftist Smer (Direction) get together and the ultranationalist Slovak National Party.

Critics fear Slovakia beneath Fico will abandon its pro-Western course and observe the path of Hungary beneath populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The new authorities instantly halted arms supply to Ukraine, at the same time as hundreds have repeatedly taken to the streets throughout Slovakia not too long ago to rally in opposition to Fico’s pro-Russian and different insurance policies, together with plans to amend the penal code and take management of the public media.

Pellegrini, who was Fico’s former deputy in Smer, turned prime minister in 2018, after Fico was compelled to resign following main anti-government avenue protests over the killing of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancee.

Pellegrini had briefly parted methods with Fico after the scandal-tainted Smer misplaced the earlier election in 2020.

OTHER CHALLENGERS

Polls have predicted Pellegrini would beat different candidates in the second spherical.

They embody former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok, 59. a pro-Western profession diplomat. He had additionally served as the ambassador to the United States and Germany, and firmly helps Slovakia’s EU and NATO memberships.

A former justice minister and choose, Štefan Harabin, 66, has overtly sided with Russia in its warfare in opposition to Ukraine.

Another former international minister and profession diplomat, Ján Kubiš, and far-right chief Marian Kotleba are amongst different notable candidates.

THE PRESIDENT’S POWERS

The president is elected for a five-year time period.

The president picks the prime minister after parliamentary elections, swears in the new authorities and appoints Constitutional Court judges. The president also can veto legal guidelines, although Parliament can override the veto with a easy majority.

The president additionally has the proper to pardon convicts.