(ANSA-AFP) - BRATISLAVA, 23 MAR - Slovaks voted on Saturday
in the first round of a tight presidential election pitting the
Russia-leaning ruling camp against a pro-Ukraine candidate amid
deep divisions on the war between the neighbouring rivals.
Parliament speaker and former prime minister Peter Pellegrini
and liberal ex-foreign minister Ivan Korcok, who is backed by
the opposition, are the clear frontrunners. Pellegrini is
supported by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has
questioned Ukraine's sovereignty. Korcok is staunchly
pro-Ukraine like outgoing president Zuzana Caputova, a
government critic who chose not to seek a second term. After
casting his ballot, Pellegrini said Slovakia would stay anchored
in the European Union and NATO after the election, despite
Fico's remarks. "Even if we talk about a more sovereign foreign
policy this does not mean that the course of Slovakia's foreign
policy should change," he added. "People know what I stand for.
Now it is up to them to go and vote," Korcok said after casting
his ballot. Caputova told journalists she hoped her successor
would "represent our country abroad well".
Though the office is largely ceremonial, Slovakia's president
ratifies international treaties, appoints top judges and is
commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The head of the NATO and
EU member of 5.4 million people can also veto laws passed by
parliament. The latest opinion polls have suggested a tight
race. An Ipsos agency survey indicated that Pellegrini would
garner 37 percent of the vote, while Korcok would bag 36
percent.
An April 6 runoff is likely as neither is expected to win
over 50 percent in the first round. Polling closes at 2100 GMT
on Saturday. (ANSA-AFP).
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