Slovakia

Divided over Ukraine war, Slovakia votes for president

Slovakia will on Saturday hold the first round of a presidential election that is a battle between the Central European country's Russia-leaning ruling camp and a pro-Ukraine opposition-backed candidate.

Parliament speaker Peter Pellegrini and liberal ex-foreign minister Ivan Korcok are the clear frontrunners among nine contenders.

Chaos in Slovakia: 30,000 people took to the streets VIDEO

The protests are directed against plans by Prime Minister Robert Fico's government to close the Office of the Special Prosecutor for Financial Crimes.
An estimated 30,000 protesters filled the main square in Bratislava, carrying banners that read, among other things, "Enough, Fico" and "Hands off our democracy," reports Reuters.

It's confirmed: "We are stopping arms deliveries to Ukraine"

This was announced today by the Slovak Ministry of Defense.
"Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalik met in Brussels with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and on that occasion informed him about the end of military aid to Ukraine from the warehouse of the Slovak Armed Forces," announced the Slovak Ministry of Defense, reports TASS.

Democracy Digest: Slovakia Processes Shock Acquittal Again of Kocner in Kuciak Murder

Meanwhile, two off-duty US soldiers stationed in central Slovakia caused an incident in a grocery store last weekend, which needless to say is being exploited by pro-Russian elements in the country. Though nobody was hurt and the two soldiers did not damage anything, they were loud and under the influence of alcohol.

Democracy Digest: Slovak President Threatens to Sue Fico as Political Tensions Rise

Meanwhile, President Caputova, the most trusted Slovak politician, does not often talk about how often she and her daughters receive various threats, including death threats. Yet earlier this week, she posted on social media that she is prepared to take legal action against Smer leader and former PM Robert Fico.

Pages