Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of the left-wing populist prime minister Robert Ficowill be sworn in as president of Slovakia on Saturday.
The 48-year-old will take the oath of office at a ceremony in front of parliament in Bratislava around noon.
Pellegrini won the second election in April with 53.1% of the vote, defeating former Foreign Minister Ivan Korčok.
Ukraine played a prominent role in the campaign, with Pellegrini advocating a cautious stance on arms deliveries to Kiev – a position in line with Russia-friendly Fico.
Pellegrini previously served as prime minister and speaker of parliament from 2018 to 2020.
Incumbent Zuzana Čaputová, a lawyer and rights activist, did not run for a second five-year term despite her continued popularity as president.
Pellegrini’s Voice – Social Democratic party is part of the Slovak government coalition, led by Fico. The right-wing populist Slovak National Party (SNS) is also part of the divided coalition.
Presidents in Slovakia have few executive powers, although they can veto laws. The president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and represents the country of nearly 5.5 million foreign visits.
Slovakia and its fellow EU members were stunned last month by an assassination attempt on Fico, which seriously injured the prime minister.
