Pellegrini wins Slovak presidential election in boost for pro-Russian PM Fico

Election posters show Slovak presidential candidates Ivan Korcok and Peter Pellegrini ahead of run-off round of the Slovak presidential election, in Bratislava, Slovakia, April 5, 2024. Posters read: "To serve people, not politicians. Ivan Korcok" and "Peter Pellegrini. Let's unite for a dignified and a proud Slovakia". REUTERS/Eva Korinkova

BRATISLAVA (Reuters) -Slovak nationalist-left government candidate Peter Pellegrini won the country's presidential election on Saturday, cementing the grip of pro-Russian Prime Minister Robert Fico over the country.

Fico, who took power for the fourth time last October, has turned the country's foreign policy to more pro-Russian views and initiated reforms of criminal law and the media, which have raised concerns over weakening the rule of law.