(ANSA-AFP) - BRATISLAVA, 23 MAR - Slovakians began voting on
Saturday in the first round of a presidential election pitting
the Russia-leaning ruling camp against a pro-Ukraine candidate.
Parliament speaker Peter Pellegrini and liberal ex-foreign
minister Ivan Korcok, who is backed by the opposition, are the
clear frontrunners among nine contenders. Though the office is
largely ceremonial, Slovakia's president ratifies international
treaties, appoints top judges and is commander-in-chief of the
armed forces. The head of state can also veto laws passed by
parliament.
Pellegrini is backed by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico,
who has questioned Ukraine's sovereignty amongst a list of
inflammatory comments over Russia's invasion. Korcok is
staunchly pro-Ukraine like outgoing president Zuzana Caputova, a
government critic who chose not to seek a second term.
(ANSA-AFP).
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