Ivan Gasparovic

The electoral committee said April 18 that preliminary results showed Gasparovic, a former political ally of Meciar, took 59.91 percent with all 50 districts reporting.

His five-year term will see the center-left Gasparovic, 63, lead the country as it heads into the EU on May 1.

The president holds a largely ceremonial position but does have an important veto that could cause problems for the government as it tries to push through EU-inspired reforms.

The runoff election reflects a broader rise of populist forces in new EU members, which analysts say may complicate the bloc's functioning after its enlargement.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 24, 2004
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