A populist, pro-Russia ex-premier claims victory in Slovakia’s parliamentary elections

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — A populist former top minister and his leftist birthday party gained early parliamentary elections in Slovakia, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message, consistent with nearly entire effects.

With effects 99.2% from some 6,000 polling stations counted by way of the Slovak Statistics Office early Sunday, former Prime Minister Robert Fico and the leftist Smer, or Direction, birthday party led with 23.3% of the votes.

The election was once a take a look at for the small japanese European nation’s enhance for neighboring Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, and the win by way of Fico may pressure a delicate cohesion in the European Union and NATO.

Fico, 59, vowed to withdraw Slovakia’s army enhance for Ukraine in Russia’s conflict if his try to go back to energy succeeded.

The nation of five.5 million folks created in 1993 following the breakup of Czechoslovakia has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since Russia invaded final February, donating hands and opening the borders for refugees fleeing the conflict.

With no birthday party successful a majority of seats, a coalition govt would want to be shaped.

A liberal, pro-West newcomer, the Progressive Slovakia birthday party, was once 2d, with 17% of the votes forged Saturday.

The left-wing Hlas (Voice) birthday party, led by way of Fico’s former deputy in Smer, Peter Pellegrini, was once in 3rd with 15%. Pellegrini parted tactics with Fico after Smer misplaced the former election in 2020, however their imaginable reunion would spice up Fico’s possibilities to shape a central authority.

Another doable coalition spouse, the ultranationalist Slovak National Party, won 5.7%.

Those 3 events would have a parliamentary majority in the event that they joined forces in a coalition govt.