The current election of a populist authorities has pulled the nation away from the European mainstream.
Slovakia will return to the polls this Saturday for the second spherical of their nation’s presidential election, through which they may resolve whether or not to lean extra towards the EU or Russia.
The competition pits pro-European diplomat Ivan Korčok, who unexpectedly got here high within the first spherical with 42.5%, in opposition to social democrat Peter Pellegrini, the present speaker of parliament.
Korčok has additionally served as Slovakia’s ambassador to the US and Germany and firmly helps his nation’s membership within the EU and NATO. He’s hoping to win with the assist of presidency voters dissatisfied with home insurance policies, together with efforts to take state management of the media, in addition to the worldwide isolation that has include the brand new authorities’s pro-Russian stance.
Pellegrini, in the meantime, is an in depth ally of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. He heads the left-wing Hlas (Voice) get together, which completed third in final September’s parliamentary elections after which joined a governing coalition with Fico’s leftist Smer (Route) get together and the ultranationalist Slovak Nationwide Celebration.
Pellegrini has criticised Korčok for placing the pursuits of the EU above these of Slovakia, and complains that the nation’s membership of EU and NATO hasn’t been questioned.
A victory for Pellegrini would cement Fico’s energy by giving him and his allies management of strategic posts. If Korčok wins, the top of state and the chief department shall be pressured right into a tough coexistence.
