Slovak presidential runoff pits popular politician against businessman-turned-philanthropist

Published January 08, 2015

Slovakians are casting ballots in a presidential runoff that pits the country's popular prime minister against a businessman-turned-philanthropist.

Prime Minister Robert Fico and Andrej Kiska made it into the runoff after leading the first round on March 15.

The 49-year-old Fico heads Slovakia's dominant leftist SMER-Social Democracy party, which he led to a landslide victory in 2012 that allowed the party to govern alone in this central European nation.

A victory Saturday for Fico would cement his power, something his 51-year-old challenger — a political newcomer — wants to prevent. Kiska wants to fight corruption and make the government more efficient.

A corruption scandal in 2011 involving privatization deals has left many Slovakians disenchanted with politicians.

Fico was favored in the first round, but there have been no runoff polls.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/slovak-presidential-runoff-pits-popular-politician-against-businessman-turned-philanthropist