Slovaks elect their president in a close vote, with Ukraine in the background

(Bratislava) Slovaks voted on Saturday to choose their president between the pro-Western diplomat Ivan Korcok and the President of Parliament Peter Pellegrini close to the government of populist Robert Fico, in a close vote which could influence the country’s position vis-à-vis vis-a-vis Russia and its war in Ukraine.

Polls closed at 10 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Eastern Time) and provisional results are expected around midnight (6 p.m. Eastern Time).

According to the latest polls before the vote, the two candidates were neck and neck to replace the liberal Zuzana Caputova.

Mr. Pellegrini, aged 48, is credited with 51% of voting intentions, compared to 49% for Mr. Korcok, 60, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs, according to the Focus institute.

After voting, Mr Korcok called on Slovaks to go to the polls, adding that the election was about “the future of the country”.

Calling for unity and recognizing that the vote risked being “extremely close”, Mr. Pellegrini for his part assured after his vote that the country would continue with him to be “a strong member” of the EU and the NATO.

After the polling stations closed, Mr. Korcok thanked the voters, while his opponent said he was “nervous” hoping to have “succeeded in mobilizing voters”.

“I will await the result with great humility,” said Mr. Pellegrini.

The result will therefore depend on the carryover of the votes of the eliminated candidates.

Coming third in the first round with 12% of the votes, the anti-European and pro-Russian Stefan Harabin did not support any of the candidates.

But according to a poll by the AKO institute, more than two thirds of his voters intended to support Mr. Pellegrini.

Outgoing President Zuzana Caputova welcomed the relatively high turnout in the first round, hoping that the next head of state, whose powers are however limited, “has the strongest possible mandate”.

“Protect Slovakia”

Since Slovaks cannot vote abroad, Jana Kapustova returned from the United Kingdom to support Mr. Korcok.

“He is the guarantor of the pursuit of a democratic and pro-European policy,” this 60-year-old civil servant told AFP.

Management consultant Ivan Hriczko, 43, opted for Pellegrini.

This resident of Kosice (east) highlighted “the decency, rhetoric, behavior, hard work and services rendered to the country” of his candidate.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has become one of the key elements of the electoral campaign in this country of 5.4 million inhabitants, particularly since populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, an ally of Mr. Pellegrini, handed over questioned Kyiv’s sovereignty and called for peace with Moscow.

Mr. Pellegrini was a minister in Mr. Fico’s previous governments and even replaced him as head of government in 2018.

“I’m running for president to save the government,” the candidate said during a televised debate with Mr. Korcok.

“You want to protect the government. I want to protect Slovakia,” replied his rival.

In place since October, the government made up of Mr. Fico’s Smer-SD party, Mr. Pellegrini’s Hlas-SD party and the small far-right SNS party, has cut off military aid to Ukraine.

“If Pellegrini wins, Slovakia could follow the ‘Orban path’,” said analyst Tomas Koziaka, referring to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is favorable to the Kremlin.

Counterweight to government

Mr. Korcok, a virulent critic of the government, supported by the opposition, is for his part resolutely pro-Ukraine.

“I don’t think Ukraine should give up part of its territory to achieve peace,” he told AFP.

Pavol Turanec, a voter from Martin (north) chose Mr. Korcok who is “a real pro: pro-democratic, pro-Western, pro-European”.

“His values ​​do not change depending on the polls,” the 50-year-old told AFP.

Jana Mozolova, a 66-year-old retired teacher from Kosice, voted for Mr Pellegrini.

“He’s been there for years and has never disappointed anyone,” she said.

Before the polling stations closed, the two candidates joined their campaign teams.

Mr. Pellegrini’s election night is taking place on the bank of the Danube, in a restaurant with a view of Bratislava Castle.

Mr Korcok and his friends chose a 110-year-old market hall in central Bratislava where five years ago Mr^me Caputova celebrated her victory.

Although his powers are limited, the president ratifies international treaties, appoints key judges, and is commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He can also veto laws passed by Parliament.