Slovakia re-elects all eight regional heads as opposition holds four regions
All eight of Slovakia's regional heads were re-elected in Saturday's polls, according to results released on Sunday, with the pro-Western opposition retaining four regions, Prime Minister Robert Fico's coalition two, and independents two.
BRATISLAVA — The heads of all eight of Slovakia’s regions were re-elected, according to results released on Sunday from Saturday’s combined municipal and regional elections.
Incumbents supported by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico’s ruling coalition retained two regional leadership posts, while candidates of the parliamentary pro-Western opposition retained four regions and independents kept the remaining two, the Associated Press reported.
In a notable contest in the eastern Prešov region, the head of the opposition Christian Democrats, Milan Majerský, won with over 48% of the vote, beating a candidate nominated by the far-right Republic party, who received 35%. The Republic party is currently the third most popular party in Slovakia, according to polls.
In a separate election traditionally dominated by independent candidates, Matúš Vallo, representing the opposition, was re-elected for the third time as mayor of the capital, Bratislava.
Slovakia, a country of 5.4 million people and a European Union and NATO member, will hold a parliamentary election next year. Saturday’s vote was the country’s first combined municipal and regional election, following the polling-day preview reported by STVR.
Sources: Associated Press via The New Indian Express; Hürriyet Daily News (AP); Flip News preview, 24 October.
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