Slovakia regional elections reelect all eight governors preserving power balance

Richard Rasi, of HLAS-Social Democracy and speaker of the National Council of Slovakia, cast his vote at a polling station as regional and municipal elections took place Saturday. Results released Sunday by the state electoral commission showed all eight regional governors reelected. Prime Minister Robert Fico's governing coalition holds two posts, opposition parties hold four, and independents hold two. About 4.4 million Slovak and EU citizens were eligible to vote. In Prešov, Milan Majerský of the Christian Democratic Movement won with over 48% of the vote; the Republic party candidate received 35%. The Republic party polls at around 11% as the country's third most popular party. In Bratislava, Mayor Matúš Vallo won with 64% against Jozef Ráž, the transport minister backed by the governing parties. Juraj Droba retained the governorship of the region surrounding the capital with 71%. A parliamentary election must be held by late 2027. The results showed political continuity ahead of that vote.