Pelligrini beats pro-Ukraine Korcok in Slovakia presidential election
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Opposition-backed Korcok conceded defeat as nearly complete results showed he had received 47% of the vote against former prime minister Pellegrini's 53%.
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Slovakia's National Council speaker and presidential candidate Peter Pellegrini arrives at a polling station in Rovinka, Slovakia to vote during the second round of the Slovak presidential elections, on April 6, 2023. (Photo by VLADIMIR SIMICEK / AFP)
Slovakia's National Council speaker Peter Pellegrini won the country's presidential election Saturday against pro-Western diplomat Ivan Korcok.
Opposition-backed Korcok conceded defeat as nearly complete results showed he had received 47% of the vote against former prime minister Pellegrini's 53%.
"It is a huge satisfaction," Pellegrini said in Bratislava, vowing "to ensure that Slovakia remains on the side of peace and not on the side of war."
Ahead of the run-off, Pellegrini had said he advocated peace talks with Russia, unlike Korcok who argued he did not believe Ukraine should give up territory to achieve peace.
Korcok said he was "disappointed" but he respected the result.
"I want to express my belief that Peter Pellegrini will be independent and will act according to his own convictions and without orders," the 60-year-old added.
"It turns out that it is possible to become the president of the Slovak Republic by spreading hatred. The campaign can also be won by making me a war candidate."
Prime Minister Robert Fico, Pellegrini's ally, had called Korcok a "warmonger" in a video ahead of the run-off, whose turnout was 61%.
He "will support everything the West tells him without hesitation, including dragging Slovakia into the war," he indicated.
Fico backed Pellegrini as "a moderate candidate who recognises the value of peace."
Earlier Saturday Pellegrini had argued that the election was "not about the future direction of foreign policy in Slovakia."
He had said whatever the outcome, "we will continue to be a strong member of the European Union and NATO."
Pellegrini will be sworn in on June 15, replacing outgoing President Zuzana Caputova, who is staunchly pro-Ukraine like Korcok.
It is noteworthy that no candidate received 50% of the vote in the first round last month, forcing a second round of voting.
Though the office is largely ceremonial, Slovakia's president has the power to ratify international treaties as well as veto laws passed by parliament and appoint top judges. The position also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
