Fico’s coalition pick and an independent candidate are likely to face off in the upcoming presidential elections, which Slovak parliament speaker Peter Pellegrini announced on Monday will be held in two rounds on 23 March and 6 April.
With President Zuzana Čaputová having already announced that she does not plan to run for a second term, the position is now up for grabs.
Current polls point to the most popular potential presidential candidate being Pellegrini himself, despite not formally declaring his candidacy but expressing interest in the position.
“If the party leadership agrees with my candidacy and all requirements are met, then I will announce my candidacy on 19 January,” Pellegrini told the press after announcing the election dates.
A victory by Pellegrini, leader of the government Hlas party, would solidify the coalition’s grip on power. Recently, Hlas and Smer were suspended from the European socialist party for their pro-Russian stance and for joining an alliance with the far-right.
However, polls show that former Foreign Minister and Senior Diplomat Ivan Korčok, who happens to have already announced his candidacy, is the second most favourite candidate in the race.
The 21-day period for candidates to collect 15,000 signatures from the general public or 15 from MPs if they wish to stand has officially begun.
(Natália Silenská | Euractiv.sk with Reuters)
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Source: euractiv.com
