Slovakia, elections

Although the pro-Western Progressive Slovakia (PS) party only came second in this weekend’s parliamentary elections, it will still aim to take power, according to party leader Michal Simecka said Sunday, Reuters reported. The Smer-SSD party, headed by the pro-Russia Robert Fico, became the country’s largest. “Smer-SSD won the election. Of course, we respect that,” Simecka said. “But at the same time, we think this is very bad news for Slovakia. And it will be even worse news if Robert Fico succeeds in forming a government.”
     “We will do everything to ensure that Robert Fico does not control Slovakia,” he said. Simecka said he will try to contact other party leaders to see if there is a possibility of cooperation. He sees a key role in the Hlas party, which is Social Democratic and became the third largest.”There are basically two realistic coalitions,” Simecka said. “One that Smer heads, and a possible one that consists of Progressive Slovakia and other partners.” Hlas has so far left their options open after the election results were announced earlier Sunday. /ritzau/