Voting underway in Slovakia's parliamentary elections

Описание: (30 Sep 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bratislava - 30 September 2023
1. Wide of a voter casting ballot
2. Wide of ballots
3. Close of person casting ballot
4. Mid of voters
5. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Jaro Stancik, voter:
"These (elections) are crucial and critical and it is about keeping liberal democracy."
6. Mid of voter and polling station workers
7. Close of documents
8. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Lucia Hujer, voter:
"I came to vote because it is important and anyone who can should do it."
9. Various of voters and polling station workers

STORYLINE:
Voters in Slovakia cast their ballots on Saturday as the country held early parliamentary elections.

The vote pits populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico, who campaigned on a clear pro-Russia and anti-American message, against a liberal pro-West newcomer.

Fico and his leftist Smer, or Direction, party vowed to reverse Slovakia's military support for neighboring Ukraine in Russia's war, if his attempt to return to power is successful.

Slovakia’s vote is a key test that could put the country on a new course away from Kyiv and towards Moscow, threatening to break a fragile unity in the European Union and NATO.

Fico’s main challenger is the relatively new liberal pro-West Progressive Slovakia. The winner of the vote traditionally gets the first chance to create a government.

A total of 150 seats in the Parliament are up for grab in the vote.

AP video shot by: Jan Gebert

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