Slovakia has sworn in Peter Pellegrini as the new president.
The president gains increased significance as Prime Minister Robert Fico is still recovering from the assassination attempt on him in mid-May.
Pellegrini, who was sworn in on Saturday, will, among other things, represent Slovakia at the EU's upcoming summit. Normally, the president's role is relatively restricted, but the situation in the EU country has changed. Pellegrini is close to Fico politically.
The leader of the ruling Smer party, Fico, was severely injured in the attack on 15 May, and his dominance in Slovak politics has temporarily decreased.
The new president, Pellegrini, like Fico, has a critical stance towards Ukraine and has previously had a pro-Russian attitude.
In his speech, Pellegrini said he wants to counteract negative and destructive feelings:
Politics should not divide, said Pellegrini, who narrowly defeated the more Western-oriented diplomat Ivan Korcok.
However, the division in Slovakia runs deep between nationalist groups and pro-European camps. Attitudes towards Russia and support for Ukraine in the Russian invasion war vary within the country's population.
The president in Slovakia has some power, and Pellegrini will become the commander-in-chief of the country's military. The president also appoints judges and ratifies international treaties.
