How Pellegrini won the election thanks to one manipulation

The second round of presidential elections has been held in Slovakia. Peter Pellegrini, the speaker of the parliament and a coalition partner of Prime Minister Robert Fico, celebrated his victory. This can be considered an important step towards the usurpation of power by authoritarian and pro-russian leaders.

Pellegrini, who can be recognized as a pro-russian and anti-Ukrainian candidate, as well as a populist with moderate views, won 53.12% of the vote. He defeated a candidate who supported democratic and pro-Western views, former foreign minister and former Slovak representative to the EU and the US, Ivan Korcok, who won 46.87%.

How cheap manipulation made Pellegrini president

After the election results were announced, Pellegrini said in his speech that he "guarantees that Slovakia will remain on the side of peace, not on the side of war". This statement was not accidental, as the election campaign became a kind of referendum on the position on the events in Ukraine, and Pellegrini was on the same side as Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is considered a pro-russian politician.

Pellegrini actively used the "Ukrainian card" in his campaign, trying to make Slovaks fear that if Korcok won, they would have to fight in Ukraine. This tactic proved to be effective, as Korčok himself acknowledged, noting that the "atmosphere of fear" influenced the election results.

Peter Pellegrini, although he did not openly support the kremlin dictator, expressed his position on the conflict in Ukraine during the last election debate on television.

He stated: "I am against the continued support of the conflict, which is now in its third year, which only leads to additional human losses and deaths of military and civilians".

Ivan Korcok, former Slovak foreign minister and representative to the EU, had a different view, supporting Ukraine. "Ukraine's security ensures our own security. It is clear that Ukraine's defeat will move the war away from our borders", Korcok emphasized.

Interestingly, Korcok had the advantage in the first round of the March 23 election (42.5% vs. 37% for Pellegrini). But a few days before the second round, Pellegrini's party, the Voice, widely circulated an image of an elderly woman hugging a military man with the caption: "Come out and vote. Don't let your Slovak sons and grandsons die in the war".

Thus, Korcok's opponents tried to create the impression that he could drag Slovakia into the conflict between russia and Ukraine, although this was pure manipulation, as the Constitution does not give the president authority over war and military operations abroad. This tactic worked, but in reality it was speculation, as it is the prime minister, not the president, who should decide on such issues.

What will be the country's new policy?

Peter Pellegrini is considered more moderate than Prime Minister Fico, who often demonstrates a passion for putin. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the president of Slovakia does not have as broad powers as the head of government. The main responsibilities of the president are to nominate a candidate for the post of prime minister after the parliamentary elections, to inaugurate the new government, to appoint judges of the Constitutional Court, and to grant pardons to convicts. In addition, the president can veto laws, although the parliament can override the veto with a simple majority vote.

Given the limited "menu" of functions of the Slovak president, this position acts more as a counterweight to the government. However, with the arrival of Pellegrini, this balance may be upset. The choice of Pellegrini will not make Slovakia's foreign policy even more pro-russian, as it already has a tendency in this direction.

Although Pellegrini opposes military aid to Ukraine and its accession to NATO, these issues are not within his competence. Nevertheless, the president's support for these ideas could be important for Fico.

Now that Pellegrini has been elected, Fico will have more power, as the president can block the appointment of individual judges to the Constitutional Court or veto bills. This will give Fico more freedom of action, but it is worth noting that he also used to control the power before.

Changes in Slovakia's political course are reflected through the prism of the presidential election. Zuzana Čaputová, the previous president, was known for her active support of Ukraine and tried to develop cooperation with it, but her position changed over time. Now, the new face in the presidency, Pellegrini, may bring new transformations in the country's political course.