Slovakia conducted the first round of its presidential election on Saturday, witnessing a tight race between the Russia-leaning ruling camp and a pro-Ukraine candidate. Polls closed at 5pm local time, with results expected the following Sunday. If no candidate secured a majority, a runoff was scheduled for April 6. Former Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok emerged as the leading candidate with 39.3% of votes, based on counts from 85.6% of districts. The election has been characterized by deep divisions on the war between Russia and Ukraine, with one candidate pledging to keep Slovakia within the European mainstream and another being an ally of Slovakia's Russia-friendly prime minister. The pro-EU diplomat and the prime minister's ally are on course to advance to the second round, setting up a runoff for the presidency.
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unexpected result in the Slovak presidential election - not seeing too much coverage of this elsewhere, but Realtime captured it well. now heading to a runoff in April https://t.co/n2WIbb14LK
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Slovakia election: pro-EU diplomat beats ally of populist PM to set up runoff for presidency https://t.co/X6VsQaanD6
In the Slovak presidential election, former Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok is leading the first round with 39.3% of the vote, according to the latest count, which includes 85.6% of districts. #CGTNAmerica
An ally of Slovakia’s Russia-friendly prime minister and a diplomat pledging to keep the country within the European mainstream were on course to advance to the second round of the nation’s presidential election https://t.co/9dx5zjtroX
Voters in Slovakia headed to the polls for the first round of the country's presidential election, which pits the Russia-leaning ruling camp against a pro-Ukraine candidate. https://t.co/YiUNU3IgyW
Slovaks voted on Saturday in the first round of a tight presidential election pitting the Russia-leaning ruling camp against a pro-Ukraine candidate, amid deep divisions on the war between the neighbouring rivals ⬇️ https://t.co/k7Sk5jJoQf
Polls will close at 5pm local time in Slovakia, with results expected on Sunday. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff to take place on April 6. #CGTNAmerica https://t.co/rHAV2mndIW