Pellegrini Reaffirms Intention To Run In March 23 Presidential Election

Slovak National Council Speaker Peter Pellegrini on Tuesday confirmed the date for this year's presidential election, with the first round scheduled for March 23 and a potential second round pencilled in for April 6. Pellegrini also reaffirmed his intention to run and said that, barring unexpected developments, he will formally launch his campaign in his home town of Banska Bystrica on January 19.

• Incumbent liberal President Zuzana Caputova had earlier noted that she would not seek another five-year term in office due to the stress caused by several national and international crises which hit Slovakia in the recent years.
• Pellegrini assumed the top job in parliament as part of his post-election power-sharing deal with Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is expected to back his presidential bid and refrain from fielding a rival candidate.
• Early opinion polls suggest that if the election was held today, Pellegrini would likely advance to the run-off with ex-Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok and would be a clear favourite in the second round.
• The powers of the Slovak President are limited, but there are certain areas where they can exercise discretion, such as some appointments of senior public officials and granting pardon or parole.
• Despite its largely ceremonial role, claiming the presidency would allow the current ruling coalition to consolidate its influence on Slovak politics and face less resistance to its domestic and international policy plans.