Slovakia: Peter Pellegrini wins the presidential election
Steph Deschamps / April 12, 2024
Slovak populist government ally Peter Pellegrini won Saturday's presidential election, according to a 99% ballot count.
Mr. Pellegrini won 53.55% of the vote against 46.44% for the pro-European diplomat Ivan Korcok, according to figures published by the Slovak Statistical Office.
Mr. Korcok conceded defeat and congratulated his opponent. "I would like to congratulate the winner of the election, Peter Pellegrini," the former foreign minister told the press and his supporters.
He also expressed his hope that "Peter Pellegrini will be independent and will act according to his own convictions and without orders", clearly alluding to the alliance between the future president and the head of government Robert Fico.
He also criticized his opponent's "non-transparent campaign". "It turns out that it is possible to become President of the Slovak Republic by spreading hatred", he said.
Although his powers are limited, the President ratifies international treaties, appoints leading judges and is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. He can also veto laws passed by Parliament.