DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

Official results from Slovakian presidential elections show that the incumbent and his main rival will face each other in a runoff for the largely ceremonial post. President Ivan Gasparovic has won the first round with 46.7 percent and opposition lawmaker Iveta Radicova was second with just over 38 percent. A candidate needs to get the votes of more than half the registered voters for an outright win in the first round. However, the election commission estimated voter turnout at below 50 percent, thus leading to a run-off, which is to be held on April 4. Radicova, a 52-year-old professor of sociology, would be the first woman to hold the post if elected. Saturday's ballot was seen as a test of support for Prime Minister Robert Fico, who has endorsed the 67-year-old Gasparovic.