Premier’s Ally, Diplomat Head for Slovak Presidential Runoff

Slovakia’s former top diplomat who rejects Prime Minister Robert Fico’s increasingly anti-Western rhetoric pulled off a surprise first-round victory in the nation’s presidential election.

The contest for the head of state is set to decide whether the Russia-friendly premier strengthens his political dominance over the eastern European country of 5.4 million or voters pick a counterbalance to the government that holds most of the executive powers.