An ally of Slovakia’s populist prime minister is favorite to win the presidential election

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, is considered a favorite in the race for the largely ceremonial post of Slovakia’s president. A victory for Pellegrini, who currently serves as Parliament speaker, would cement Fico’s power by putting his his allies in control of strategic posts. It would also deprive Slovakia of a key pro-Ukrainian voice. Pellegrini hopes to succeed Zuzana Čaputová, a staunch backer of Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s two-year invasion. Čaputová announced she won’t seek reelection. A former liberal environmental activist, she has repeatedly come under attack from Fico over her support for Kyiv. Pellegrini leads a field of nine candidates in the first round of the presidential election on Saturday.