Slovakia keeps most local representatives in office after 'super election'

BRATISLAVA, 31 Oct. (DPA/EP) -

The Slovak electorate has confirmed in office the majority of its elected political representatives at the regional and municipal levels in a 'super election' whose results have been released this Sunday.

In the Bratislava region, the regional president Juraj Droba remains in office with the support of the liberal parties, as does the mayor of the capital, Matú Vallo. Conservative candidates have been victorious in many other regions.

Far-right representatives failed to make the cut in most regions, after their success in previous elections caused concern at home and abroad.

The independents partially won the direct elections to appoint a mayor and the social democratic party Hlas-SD has also won several seats.

Around 4.4 million citizens and permanent foreign residents in the country have been called this Saturday to elect the parliaments and presidents of the eight regions. In addition, the councils of the almost 3,000 cities, towns and municipalities have been elected again, as well as the mayors and district mayors.

At the same time, several local referendums were held, for example in the town of Sliac, where a German military unit with the Patriot missile defense system is currently stationed at the military airport.

A citizen initiative had demanded a referendum with thousands of signatures to prevent the establishment of a US air base at the airport.

After the four-party government that had governed nationally since 2020 fell apart in early September, the election has been seen as a humor test for the residual conservative-populist coalition that rules as a minority cabinet.