Pro-West and pro-Russia candidates square off in Slovakia’s presidential elections
![Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini delivers a speech at the National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic, on Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)](https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/ea39673/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2394x1594+0+1/resize/320x213!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fcb%2Fe1%2F34d860994b88ad343c84b716cb56%2Fglobalelex016.jpg)
Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini delivers a speech at the National Museum in Prague, Czech Republic, on Nov. 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
DATE OF ELECTION
First round - March 23; runoff – April 6
TYPE OF ELECTION
Presidential election
WHO’S RUNNING
The speaker of Slovakia’s Parliament, Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, is considered a favorite in the race for the largely ceremonial post of president. Former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok, a pro-Western career diplomat, is expected to be Pellegrini’s main rival in the presidential vote.
WHY IT MATTERS TO THE WORLD
Pellegrini’s victory would mean Fico, who is pro-Russian and anti-American, and his allies, would be in charge of all key posts in Slovakia, including the prime minister, parliamentary speaker and the president.
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