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.

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.

General elections have boosted Slovak hopes of joining Nato and the European Union by leaving an authoritarian former prime minister with his worst showing ever.

Polling stations in Slovakia re-opened today for the last day of the general elections.