March 23 (Reuters) – Slovaks vote in a presidential election on Saturday that might strengthen Prime Minister Robert Fico’s grip on energy as he seeks extra management over public media, softer anti-corruption legal guidelines and a dissenting voice to EU assist for Ukraine.
Polls are open within the first spherical of voting from 7:00 a.m. (0600 GMT) till 10:00 p.m. (2100 GMT). A run-off between the highest two candidates is due on April 6 if nobody wins a majority this weekend.
Fico’s ally Peter Pellegrini, 48, has been a frontrunner within the race to interchange President Zuzana Caputova, 50, who’s a fierce opponent to Fico, though she will not be looking for a brand new time period.
Fico returned to energy in an election final September after profitable over voters with pledges to halt army assist to Ukraine in its struggle towards a Russian invasion, sustain spending to assist folks hit by value surges, and finish chaotic governance seen throughout a earlier opposition-led administration.
Pellegrini, a former prime minister and member of Fico’s leftist, ruling SMER celebration and now the top of junior coalition associate HLAS, is hoping to duplicate that success.
Among the many checklist of candidates, he’s going through Ivan Korcok, 59, a pro-EU former international minister who desires to forestall the federal government from gaining the president’s seat.
Whereas Slovak presidents don’t wield many govt powers, they’ve a job in appointments in authorities and different places of work and may form public debate because the liberal Caputova has typically finished.
Voters previously have typically rejected giving ruling events each the federal government and presidential places of work. Caputova gained the final presidential election in 2019, driving an anti-corruption wave geared toward Fico’s celebration, which was in energy then.
Fico, a four-time prime minister, has shifted Slovak coverage rapidly, most visibly by ending state army provides to Ukraine – whereas nonetheless permitting industrial provide offers – and having dialogue with Moscow even because the EU desires to isolate the Russian regime.
Pellegrini, like Fico, has stated the battle in Ukraine doesn’t have a army resolution and helps peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, one thing that Korcok, like different critics, name capitulation when elements of Ukraine are occupied.
Fico’s coalition authorities has additionally pushed by way of felony regulation modifications that critics say weaken the struggle towards corruption. Caputova, as president, has challenged the modifications on the Constitutional Courtroom.
The federal government has additionally shut a particular prosecution unit in a transfer the European Commision stated this week it regretted.
The federal government is now planning modifications that can give it extra management over public broadcaster RTVS, elevating concern amongst media teams and advocates. Korcok has criticised the federal government’s push for extra energy.
(Reporting by Jason Hovet in Prague; Enhancing by Angus MacSwan)
