15 want to run for Slovakia's president
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Fifteen candidates want to run for the ceremonial post of Slovakia's president.
Parliament spokesman Pavol Chovanec said Friday the 15 delivered their candidacy by Thursday's midnight deadline. Each candidate had to submit 15,000 signatures from Slovak citizens or be backed by 15 members of Parliament.
Left-leaning Prime Minister Robert Fico is a hot favorite to succeed President Ivan Gasparovic when his final term expires in June 15.
Other notable candidates include Milan Knazko, a leading figure of the 1989 Velvet Revolution that ended Communist rule in Czechoslovakia, and former anti-communist dissident and conservative politician Jan Carnogursky.
The first round of the vote is scheduled for March 15. If no candidate wins at least 50 percent, the top two will advance to a second round on March 29.
