Vitaly Saenko10:44, 04/07/24
The pro-Russian candidate Pellegrini won the election.
Voters in Slovakia on Saturday strengthened the power of Russia-friendly political forces in Central Europe by voting for Peter Pellegrini in the presidential election . The latter opposes the provision of military and financial assistance to Ukraine.
This is reported by The New York Times . In particular, according to official data, based on the results of counting 99% of the votes, Pellegrini is the winner of the presidential election. He received 53% support. He is also an ally of the country’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Although the president’s powers are limited in Slovakia, the election was widely seen as a test of strength between political camps with starkly different views on Russia.
Former Foreign Minister Ivan Korczok, who lost the presidential election, is a strong supporter of Ukraine and a critic of Fico. As is known, the latter, together with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, opposes providing assistance to Ukraine.
Pellegrini, with Fico’s support on his side, had already declared victory. He made his statement after Korczak publicly admitted defeat.
During the election campaign, Pellegrini copied the tactics used by Hungarian Prime Minister Orban in the 2022 elections, NYT notes. The ruling party then falsely claimed that the main opposition leader wanted to send Hungarian soldiers to fight against Russia in Ukraine. Pellegrini used the same slander against Korczak, calling him a warmonger and pointing out his intentions to send Slovak troops to Ukraine. Korczak then defended himself and insisted that he had no such plans. In addition, the position of president in Slovakia does not provide authority for such actions.
Korczak’s defeat in the elections was a big impetus for Fico: now the prime minister can defend his agenda without interference from the president. This will lead to noticeable changes after the departure of previous President Zuzana Caputova. She, being a pro-Western liberal, used her limited powers to counteract Fico’s “drift” towards Russia, the publication writes.
The election of Pellegrini could lead to a more confrontational approach in Slovakia, which is followed by Hungary, the NYT notes.
(C)UNIAN 2024
I wish the EU and NATO would have clauses to eject any member states who are pro-mafia. Having such trash countries in their midst undermines both organizations, as we’ve seen countless times. The people of both countries can join forces with mafia land if that’s their desire, and get the benefits of being their gofers, useful idiots and slaves, but should not be allowed to further enjoy the benefits that the EU and NATO offer.
Since all countries would have to agree on it not very likely it will be reformed anytime soon. Best they can do is restrict, withhold benefits, or suspend.
But, they are not using all those tools effectively to get the crap holes to cooperate.