Russia Friendly Populist Peter Pellegrini Wins Presidency in Slovakia, Signals Shift In Leadership

In a significant political shift, Peter Pellegrini, a populist figure, has secured the presidency of Slovakia, succeeding the liberal Zuzana Caputova. Pellegrini, 48, emerged victorious in the election, defeating the pro-Western candidate Ivan Korcok, a former diplomat, with 53% of the vote.

A former prime minister and ally of current Prime Minister Robert Fico, Pellegrini shares Fico’s dovish stance towards Russia, which has raised concerns among proponents of Western integration. With Pellegrini’s victory, Fico and his allies now wield control over Slovakia’s parliament, government, and soon, the presidency.

Under Fico’s leadership, Slovakia’s alignment with Western allies, particularly Ukraine, has shifted. Fico’s government halted supplies of Slovak Army military stocks to Kyiv, signalling a departure from Slovakia’s previous support for Ukraine. With Pellegrini succeeding Caputova, Ukraine has lost a crucial advocate in an EU and NATO capital.

Fico has advocated for an end to Western military support for Ukraine, calling for ceasefire and peace talks with Moscow. He has also defended Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing against Ukraine’s accession to NATO to avoid escalating tensions further.

During his campaign, Pellegrini echoed some of Fico’s Moscow-friendly rhetoric, accusing Korcok of warmongering and pledging not to send Slovak soldiers to fight in Ukraine, despite lacking the constitutional authority to make such decisions.

Critics, including the liberal pro-Western opposition, have voiced concerns about Pellegrini’s leadership, particularly his silence as Fico’s government dismantled Slovakia’s criminal justice system. The abolition of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which investigated corruption and economic crime, has raised alarms among those advocating for accountability.

The murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova in 2018 shook Slovak politics, leading to public outrage over corruption and organized crime. Caputova’s election as president reflected a desire for change and accountability in the aftermath of the killings.

Fico’s government has also targeted Slovakia’s public broadcaster, proposing its abolition in favour of a state-controlled entity. Despite setbacks in Pellegrini’s initial electoral performance, concerns remain about the future of media freedom under a government dominated by Fico’s coalition.

Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi

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