Al Jazeera

Parliament Speaker Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico, emerged victorious in the Slovakia presidential elections on Saturday.

Former Slovakian prime minister and current parliamentary Speaker Peter Pellegrini, has won the country's presidential election on Saturday, defeating former foreign minister Ivan Korčov in a second round of voting.

Guardian

With 98% of the votes counted, Pellegrini had 53.85% of the vote against 46.14% for opposition-backed pro-Western former Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok.

Volbysr

According to Slovakia's statistical office, Pellegrini received 53.1% of the vote compared to 46.9% in favor of Korčov. Pellegrini received the most votes in seven out of the country's eight regions.

www.euractiv.com

Pellegrini called his victory "a huge satisfaction," vowing "to ensure that Slovakia remains on the side of peace and not on the side of war." The former prime minister will be sworn in on June 15.

Pellegrini, backed by Slovakia's pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico, called his victory "a huge satisfaction," and promised to keep the country "on the side of peace and not on the side of war." The former prime minister will be sworn in on June 15.

Reuters

Pellegrini, who previously assured that Slovakia would remain the EU and NATO member state, had falsely portrayed Korcok as a warmonger intent on sending Slovak troops into Ukraine to arm Kyiv against Moscow.

Pellegrini, who has previously stated that Slovakia will remain a member of both the EU and NATO, had alleged in the presidential runoff that Korčok wished to send Slovak troops into Ukraine to arm Kyiv against Moscow – a claim denied by the opposing candidate.

BBC News

With populist Pellegrini succeeding the liberal Zuzana Caputova, Fico and his allies will have strategic hold over Slovakia's parliament, government, and the president's office.

With Pellegrini succeeding Zuzana Caputova, Prime Minister Fico and his allies will hold power in Slovakia's parliament, government, and presidential office.

Le Monde.fr

Though the presidency is essentially a ceremonial office, Slovakia's president is the commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces and can veto laws passed by the National Council.

While the office is centred upon ceremonial duties, Slovakia's president remains the country's commander-in-chief, and can veto laws passed by Slovakia's National Council.

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Pellegrini used the fear of war as a campaign topic, spread hatred, and viciously malign the opposition. Unfortunately, his win in the country's presidential election will cement pro-Russian PM Robert Fico's influence over Slovakia, eroding the rule of law. With Pellegrini as president, no high-profile Slovak would be in the corridors of power unequivocally backing Ukraine's right to defend its territory.

Firstpost

Why Slovakia's new president could be a headache for Ukraine

It's an oversight to call Fico or Pellegrini pro-Russian politicians. Slovakia has voted for change in a presidential election that wasn't about Ukraine but a fight between conservatism and liberalism. Pellegrini's win signifies support for Fico's populist agenda and a rejection of an opportunistic opposition power center. Though it's a NATO member, Slovakia must maintain its national sovereignty and peace in the region.

Euronews

New Slovak president Peter Pellegrini yet to define political stance - analyst

There's a 1% chance that any member state will leave the Eurozone before 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

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Member Exits Eurozone by 2025

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Peter Pellegrini Wins Slovakia Presidential Elections

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Pellegrini's win signifies support for Fico's people-first agenda and a rejection of the self-serving establishment elite. Slovakia has voted for change in a presidential election that was not about Ukraine but a fight between conservatism and liberalism. Albeit a mistake to call either Pellegrini or Fico pro-Russian politicians, and Slovakia remains a NATO member, the country must maintain its national sovereignty and prioritize peace in Eastern Europe above all.

Having used the fear of war as a central theme in his campaign – viciously spreading populist hatred and paranoia – Pellegrini's win in Slovakia's presidential election will only further undermine the country's democratic rule of law, cementing pro-Russian PM Robert Fico's influence over the country. The sad reality is that, with Pellegrini as president, Slovakia no longer contains a single major figure in power who will stand up against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and fight for what is right.

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