Pro-EU Party, Firebrand Ex-Premier Neck-And-Neck in Slovakia

Progressive Slovakia holds slim lead, exit polls show
Robert Fico led opinion polls in months ahead of election

Michal Simecka speaks at a rally following the election in Bratislava, Slovakia, on Sept. 30.Photographer: Michaela Nagyidaiova/Bloomberg

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By Daniel Hornak and Peter Laca

September 30, 2023 at 8:52 PM UTC

Updated on

September 30, 2023 at 9:15 PM UTC

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An election in Slovakia pitting a pro-European group against a firebrand former premier was headed to a tight finish, as exit polls showed both parties neck-and-neck, raising the prospect of political deadlock.

Progressive Slovakia under 39-year-old Michal Simecka took 23.5% in the ballot on Saturday, while Robert Fico’s Smer had 21.9%, an exit poll for TV Markiza showed. A second survey for the public broadcaster showed the parties at 20% and 19%, respectively.