Pro-Russian party wins Slovakia's election, but not outright
- 7 months ago
Populist former prime minister Robert Fico and his leftist, pro-Russian Smer party have won early parliamentary elections in Slovakia.
The party and its leader have staged a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message, according to complete results announced on Sunday.
It gained 22.9% of the votes, or 42 seats in the 150-seat Parliament, the Slovak Statistics Office said.
Public and exit polls predicted a tight race but in the end, Fico won relatively big after his campaign — considered aggressive and the most radical of his career — attracted voters who favoured the far-right.
With no party winning a majority of seats, a coalition government will need to be formed.
The party and its leader have staged a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message, according to complete results announced on Sunday.
It gained 22.9% of the votes, or 42 seats in the 150-seat Parliament, the Slovak Statistics Office said.
Public and exit polls predicted a tight race but in the end, Fico won relatively big after his campaign — considered aggressive and the most radical of his career — attracted voters who favoured the far-right.
With no party winning a majority of seats, a coalition government will need to be formed.