European

(24 Mar 2024) RESTRICTION SUMMARY:ASSOCIATED PRESSBratislava – 24 March 20241. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Peter Pellegrini, Slovakian presidential candidate: “I would like to thank, as me Peter Pellegrini, this huge number of people who supported me in the first round of the presidential elections and they seem – given the high count rate – to have moved me to the second round so I can compete in a final duel for the presidency.”2. Mid of Peter Pellegrini’s campaign banner3. Wide of journalists4. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Peter Pellegrini, Slovakian presidential candidate: “The results have shown that the majority of people in Slovakia do not wish a liberal right wing progressive candidate. The majority has expressed an interest to have a president that would defend national state interests of the Slovak Republic, that Slovakia wants a president that would not drag Slovakia into a war but will speak about peace. That it wants a president that will put Slovak’s interest in first place and the interests of all the citizens of the Slovak Republic.”5. Mid of Pellegrini’s campaign banner6. Wide of Pellegrini leaving news conference STORYLINE:Slovakia’s presidential candidate and a close ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, Peter Pellegrini, came second in the polls on Sunday and will face a pro-Western diplomat for the runoff in April.Former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok had 42.13% of the votes, with nearly all polling stations counted by Slovakia’s Statistics Office. Pellegrini was in second with 37.28%.Because no candidate won an outright majority, a runoff will be held April 6 in the central European nation of 5.4 million people.Pellegrini was considered a favorite in the race, and opinion polls suggested he would beat any candidate in the runoff.A victory for Pellegrini, who currently serves as Parliament speaker, would cement Fico’s power by giving him and his allies control of strategic posts.Pellegrini, 48, who favours a strong role for the state, heads the left-wing Hlas (Voice) party that finished third in the September 30 parliamentary elections. His party joined a governing coalition with Fico’s leftist Smer (Direction) party and the ultranationalist Slovak National Party. The new government immediately halted arms deliveries to Ukraine. Thousands have repeatedly taken to the streets across Slovakia recently to rally against Fico’s pro-Russian and other policies, including plans to amend the penal code and take control of the public media.Critics worry Slovakia under Fico will abandon its pro-Western course and follow the direction of Hungary under populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. AP video shot by Jan Gebert===========================================================Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected] out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/a8386ed6bffe4bccb24387a984720e8a