The ceremony came about amid heightened safety after the assassination try on his shut ally, populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, a month in the past.
ADVERTISEMENTPellegrini referred to as for nationwide unity in his speech at a particular session of Parliament in Bratislava. He has turn out to be Slovakia’s sixth president because the nation gained independence after the disintegration of Czechoslovakia in 1993.
“We’re one nation, one society, one Slovakia,” he stated.
The 48-year-old Pellegrini beat pro-Western profession diplomat Ivan Korcok within the presidential runoff vote on April 6. His victory cemented Fico’s grip on energy by giving him and his allies management of main strategic posts.
He succeeded Zuzana Čaputová, the nation’s first feminine head of state and a staunch backer of neighbouring Ukraine in its struggle in opposition to Russia’s invasion. She did not search a second time period within the largely ceremonial submit.
Fico didn’t attend the ceremony as he’s nonetheless recovering after being shot within the stomach whereas greeting supporters on Could 15 within the city of Handlova. The assailant was arrested.
Fico’s leftist Smer (Course) occasion gained parliamentary elections on September 30 on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform.
Pellegrini, who favours a powerful function for the state, headed the left-wing Hlas (Voice) occasion to the third-place end within the vote and joined a governing coalition with Fico and the ultranationalist Slovak Nationwide Occasion.
Critics fear Slovakia beneath Fico will abandon its pro-Western course and comply with the path of Hungary beneath populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Rallies in Slovakia
Hundreds have taken to the streets throughout Slovakia just lately to rally in opposition to Fico’s pro-Russian and different insurance policies, together with plans to amend the penal code and take management of the general public media.
Pellegerini, who turned Parliament’s speaker after the election, by no means questioned Fico’s insurance policies.
He was Fico’s former deputy in Smer when he turned prime minister in 2018, after Fico was pressured to resign following main anti-government avenue protests over the killing of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancee.
Pellegrini had quickly parted methods with Fico after the scandal-tainted Smer misplaced the earlier election in 2020, however their reunion enabled the creation of Fico’s authorities.
The president of the nation of 5.4 million individuals picks the prime minister after parliamentary elections, swears within the new authorities and appoints Constitutional Court docket judges.
They will additionally veto legal guidelines, although Parliament can override the veto with a easy majority, and problem them on the Constitutional Court docket. The pinnacle of state additionally has the suitable to pardon convicts.
The federal government, led by the prime minister, holds most govt powers.
