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Maros Sefcovic and Zuzana Caputova, the two candidates for the Slovak presidential election. VLADIMIR SIMICEK / AFP

Slovakia votes for the second round of the presidential election this Saturday, March 30. A ballot between a lawyer specializing in environmental law and a European commissioner. Zuzana Caputova finished first in the first round, on 16 March, with more than 40% of the vote against 18.66% for his rival, Maros Sefcovic.

Zuzana Caputova could become the first woman president of Slovakia. She far outstripped her rival in the first round and is leading the polls. This lawyer, anti-corruption activist is a novice in politics and this is undoubtedly what pleases the Slovak voters, tired of repeated scandals.

Outstanding speaker, Zuzana Caputova is committed to fighting for more effective and independent justice. This divorced mother of two is adept at access to abortion and extended rights for same-sex couples. It can count on the support of the liberal voters of the cities but the population of the countryside, more conservative, is less favorable for it.

Like tens of thousands of other Slovaks, Zuzana Caputova took to the streets to protest the assassination of Jan Kuciak in February 2018. The investigative journalist was shot and killed while he was preparing to publish a report. investigation into the alleged links between Slovak politicians and the Italian mafia.

A weakened coalition

A case that plunged the country into a major political crisis and splashed the ruling coalition. Prime Minister Robert Fico had to resign against the pressure of the street. Robert Fico is still at the head of the Social Democratic Party, the Smer-SD. The same ruling party that today supports Maros Sefcovic, the other presidential candidate. Support that may explain his poor score in the first round.

Sefcovic initially refused the presidential candidacy last year, but finally agreed to run in January, with Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak refusing Smer-SD's offer. Although a seasoned politician, Sefcovic is relatively unknown in his country and has no experience of power in Slovakia.

Throughout his career, he has held several diplomatic posts, including Ambassador to Israel. He is fluent in English, French and Russian and understands German. Member of the European Commission since 2009 and one of its vice-presidents since 2014, this pro-European believes however that Slovakia must retain certain decision-making powers.

(with AFP)