In a surprising turn of events, voters in Slovakia have strengthened the grip of Russia-friendly political forces in Central Europe by electing Peter Pellegrini as their new president. Pellegrini, an ally of Slovakia’s populist prime minister Robert Fico, won the presidential runoff with 53 percent of the vote, defeating former Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok, who is a staunch supporter of Ukraine.
The election was closely watched as a test of strength between political camps with starkly different views on Russia. Pellegrini’s victory is seen as a significant win for those who oppose providing military and financial aid to Ukraine, aligning with Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary in challenging mainstream opinions within the European Union.
During the campaign, Pellegrini used tactics similar to those employed by Orban in Hungary, spreading false claims that his opponent, Korcok, was a warmonger intent on sending Slovak troops into Ukraine. Despite Korcok’s denials and insistence that he had no such plan, he struggled to break through a cloud of disinformation spread by pro-Russia websites and social media accounts.
Pellegrini’s win is a boost for Prime Minister Fico, who can now pursue his agenda without interference from the presidency. This marks a shift from the tenure of the outgoing president, Zuzana Caputova, who used her limited powers to resist Fico’s pro-Russia stance and efforts to limit the judiciary’s ability to prosecute corruption.
With Pellegrini’s election, Slovakia may adopt a more confrontational approach towards Ukraine, similar to that of Hungary. Fico has joined Orban in advocating for a swift negotiated settlement in Ukraine, arguing that the war will continue indefinitely without one. On the other hand, Korcok believes that providing military and financial support to Ukraine is crucial for ending the conflict.
The election of Pellegrini signals a shift in Slovakia’s political landscape and could have significant implications for the country’s foreign policy stance. It remains to be seen how this will impact Slovakia’s relationship with Ukraine and its position within the European Union.
