Slovakia’s political landscape is facing scrutiny as businesses reassess ties with public figures who have voiced support for leading presidential candidate Peter Pellegrini. The situation highlights the increasing intersection of politics and commerce in the country, and could influence the upcoming presidential election.
MMA fighter Attila Végh recently experienced the fallout of publicly endorsing Pellegrini. Following a video posted on social media in which he criticized opposition candidate Ivan Korčok, one automobile company terminated its commercial partnership with Végh, seeking to avoid association with a political campaign, according to reports.
The initial withdrawal of sponsorship was followed by further cancellations of commercial collaborations after Végh issued a strongly worded response. This series of events underscores the sensitivity surrounding political endorsements and the potential repercussions for those who engage in them.
Meanwhile, separate investigations have revealed that Pellegrini, while serving as Slovakia’s Prime Minister in 2020, requested assistance from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in arranging an official visit to Moscow. Intelligence obtained by VSquare indicates Pellegrini believed a visit to Russia would resonate with Slovak voters and bolster his election prospects. Orbán reportedly acted as an intermediary due to the Hungarian government’s established close ties with the Kremlin.
While Pellegrini ultimately secured the visit, he lost the subsequent election. He is now considered the frontrunner in the current race for the Slovak presidency, with the first and second rounds of voting scheduled for March 23 and April 6, respectively. His candidacy is supported by current Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has faced criticism for his pro-Russian stance and actions against NGOs, independent media, and anti-corruption bodies.
Should Pellegrini win, observers anticipate he would likely support Fico’s controversial policies, a departure from the approach of outgoing President Zuzana Čaputová and Pellegrini’s opponent, former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok. The development underscores the complex political dynamics at play in Slovakia as the country prepares to choose its next leader.
