Surprise win for hardliner in Slovakia election

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.

Vladimir Meciar, whose rule was criticised by Western leaders for its lack of democracy and rule of law, won 32.7% of the vote in yesterday’s election, said Ladislav Jaca, a central election commission official. All of the votes had been counted, Jaca said.