In Slovakia, nearly six thousand polling stations closed their doors at 21:00 GMT on a day that saw the nation choose a successor to Zuzana Caputova as head of state. With two stations reporting minor incidents involving polling staff, the scene of the election appeared orderly, and voters seemed to have followed the day’s schedule without major disruptions. The central election commission confirmed that voting proceeded normally, though it did not release turnout figures, and the counting of ballots was set to begin within the hour. There were no exit polls to guide early conclusions, so outcomes would rest on the official tallies as they came in. [citation]
As the ballot boxes were sealed and the ballots cast, political analysts and journalists watched to see how the day would unfold. The absence of immediate projections suggested that no candidate would cross the 50% threshold on the first count, leaving the field open for a potential second round. The anticipation was heightened by careful, cautious wording from experts affiliated with media partners who noted that the structure of this election did not favor a single frontrunner who could quickly claim victory. [citation]
President Caputova herself cast her vote in the town of Pezinok, near the capital Bratislava, emphasizing the imperative of participating in the process so that her successor could command the broadest possible legitimacy. Her comments resonated with many voters who view the presidency as a stabilizing force in times of regional and domestic debate, underscoring the value of civic engagement in shaping the nation’s future. [citation]
The front-runner in the polls was the social-democratic politician Peter Pellegrini, who currently chairs the parliament and leads the governing party Hlas. He urged citizens to turn out in force, echoing Caputova’s call to participate to ensure the mandate of the next president is strong and well supported. Pellegrini’s campaign has tied itself to the policy direction of the current coalition government, a coalition that has attracted both praise for its social priorities and criticism for its stance on several regional issues. [citation]
Ivan Korcok, the former foreign minister, entered the race with expectations that he would likely advance to a second round on 6 April. He urged his fellow citizens to vote as a way of contributing to national debate and to the shaping of foreign policy directions. His campaign has promised a renewed emphasis on alliance-building with Western partners and a clear stance on security matters that matter to Slovakia and its neighbors. [citation]
A total of seven other candidates also took part in the direct, universal suffrage contest, though Jakub Hankovský of IPSOS suggested that their chances of clearing the first hurdle were slim. The field reflects a broad spectrum of opinion, from progressive to nationalist, with each candidate presenting a distinct vision for Slovakia’s role in the EU, in NATO, and on the matter of regional security. [citation]
Pellegrini’s platform signaled continued support for the existing government’s policies, including the coalition’s approach to economic reform and social policy, while also navigating tensions with neighboring countries. The government coalition has faced scrutiny over its approach to regional diplomacy, relations with Ukraine, and the broader question of how to balance cooperation with Western partners against the realities of regional security concerns. [citation]
Korcok has argued in favor of providing military aid to Ukraine, aligning with the positions of a liberal, pro-democracy opposition that emphasizes international law and collective security commitments. The debate on defense and foreign policy remains central to voters’ considerations as they weigh the country’s current trajectory against the potential changes a new president could bring to foreign relations and international partnerships. [citation]