Slovakia’s former authoritarian prime minister edged out the expected favourite in the presidential election and advanced to a second round against a former political ally, according to preliminary results released today.

Slovakians, among the newest members of Nato and poised to join the European Union, vote for a new president today, choosing from among a foreign minister, a former prime minister and nine other candidates.

DRAWN and trembling, Pope John Paul II struggled to greet Slovaks yesterday as he began a gruelling four-day visit that tested his age and ailments.

Slovak voters were expected to reaffirm their young nation’s top foreign policy goal, membership of the European Union, in a two-day referendum beginning today.