Peter Pellegrini emerged victorious in the Slovak presidential elections, securing 53.2% of the votes against Ivan Korcok’s 46.8%, in a contest marked by a 61.12% voter turnout during the second round.
Set to succeed President Zuzana Caputova on June 15, Pellegrini’s election has raised discussions about Slovakia’s political direction. Pellegrini, closely aligned with current Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, has consistently highlighted the importance of Slovakia’s national interests and the pursuit of peace. His stance is particularly notable given the current coalition government’s decision to cease military aid to Ukraine.
Fico’s government, established in October 2023, combines the social democratic parties Smer-SD and HLAS-SD, as well as the far-right SNS party. Some observers have drawn parallels between the policy directions of Pellegrini and those of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, particularly regarding their approaches toward the Kremlin.
However, in Slovakia’s parliamentary democracy, the president’s powers are significant yet circumscribed, limited to ratifying treaties, appointing judges, commanding the armed forces, and vetoing parliamentary laws, while the prime minister holds executive authority.
Despite conceding, Korcok criticized the lack of campaign transparency and accused Pellegrini of fostering divisiveness.
