A populist former prime minister and his leftist party won early parliamentary elections in Slovakia, staging a political comeback after campaigning on a pro-Russian and anti-American message, according to almost complete results.
Voters in Slovakia cast ballots Saturday in an early parliamentary election that pits a populist former prime minister who campaigned on a pro-Russia and anti-American message against a liberal, pro-West newcomer.
A populist former prime minister whose party is favored to win Slovakia’s early parliamentary election plans to reverse the country’s military and political support for neighboring Ukraine, in a direct challenge to the European Union and NATO, if he returns to power.
Slovakia has delivered the remaining nine of the 13 Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets that it promised to Ukraine. The Slovak Defense Ministry says the warplanes were transported overland for security reasons. The first four were flown from Slovakia to Ukraine by Ukrainian pilots on March 23. Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad says: “We are doing the right thing,” In March, the Slovak government approved a plan to give Ukraine its entire fleet of MiG-29 planes, making it the second NATO member to answer Ukraine's plea for warplanes to help defend against Russia’s invasion.
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) Slovakia’s parliament amended the country's constitution Wednesday to make it possible to hold early elections. Ninety-two lawmakers voted in favor of an amendment that allows a snap vote if it is approved by a three-fifths majority in the 150-seat National Council of the Slovak Republic.