Peter Pellegrini, a staunch critic of Ukrainian aid and a close ally of Prime Minister Fico, assumes presidency in Slovakia

Speaker of Parliament and leader of the Voice - Social Democracy party Peter Pellegrini emerged victorious in the second round of the presidential elections in Slovakia. His win is expected to bolster the influence of Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is known for his stance against military support to Kyiv and often aligns with Russian viewpoints on the conflict in Ukraine.

As per data from Statistics Slovakia, Pellegrini secured 53.12% of the votes, while pro-Western candidate Ivan Korcok garnered 46.87%.

Fico, who clinched victory in the parliamentary elections in Slovakia for the fourth consecutive time last October, has steered the country towards a more pro-Russian foreign policy.

The Prime Minister has also spearheaded legal and media reforms, sparking concerns about the potential erosion of the rule of law, as highlighted by Reuters.

In Slovakia, the executive authority rests with the prime minister, but the president holds the power to veto legislation and challenge it in the Constitutional Court. The president is also responsible for appointing judges to the Constitutional Court, a role that could prove pivotal if Fico's reforms face legal challenges.

Prior to Fico's electoral success, Slovakia stood as one of Ukraine's staunchest allies, even transferring its entire fleet of MiG-29 fighters to Kyiv.

However, following Fico's victory, his coalition, which includes the "Voice" party led by Pellegrini, halted the supply of Slovak weapons to Ukraine.

Fico has openly criticized the Western stance on the conflict involving Russia, urging Western nations to halt military assistance to Kyiv, cease hostilities immediately, and engage in peace talks with Moscow.

He has gone as far as to suggest that President Vladimir Putin has been unfairly vilified and warned that Ukraine's accession to NATO could trigger a third world war.

Fico's "Course - Social Democracy" party advocates for a "sovereign foreign policy" and emphasizes the need for "equal relations" between the US and the EU, along with an urgent resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.

 

The party remains steadfast in its opposition to military aid for Ukraine, arguing that such assistance only perpetuates the conflict and exacerbates the suffering of civilians.