The Opposition Ordinary People (OLaNO) party would support former parliamentary veteran František Mikloško, lawyer and activist Zuzana Čaputová or scientist Robert Mistrík in the presidential election due to be held in the spring of 2019, TASR learnt from OLaNO spokesperson Matuš Bystriansky, adding that they should agree between each other. If they do not do so by the time the election date is announced, OLaNO will decide on its next steps. "The candidates for the presidential post include three persons who would be a dignified head of state, if elected. However, given the fact that they more or less appeal to similar voters, the fragmentation of votes significantly increases the chances of other candidates with a dubious past, who would not bring anything good to Slovakia," wrote the party. OLaNO expects that the candidates will prefer Slovakia's interests to personal ambitions and prevent the loss of any votes.
The extra-parliamentary Christian Democrats (KDH) wanted to negotiate a joint conservative presidential candidate with OLaNO. They would be ready to talk to the winner of a primary election between Veronika Remišová and František Mikloško. If there is no primary election, the Christian Democrats in the first round of the presidential election will support the Opposition candidate who has the best chance of getting into the second round. But he or she must agree with the party on cultural and ethical issues.
Independent presidential candidate Zuzana Čaputová reacted by saying that she appreciates the trust placed in her by the opposition movement Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO) but at the same time she believes that all democratic candidates must be prepared to take a responsible decision at the crucial moment. "My position is the same from the very beginning. If what we care for is the good of this country, all democratic candidates must be ready to make a responsible decision at the crucial moment. I am now trying to present my vision of a fairer and better country. From surveys I know that with Robert Mistrík we are addressing similar voters, so many of them will decide between one of us," she said, but if the difference between them in terms of election preferences is still small, they should allow voters to make their decision based on a comparison of their stories, positions, and plans rather than by comparing percentages. "For example, also in the form of pre-election debates. I will definitely make a responsible decision in favor of Slovakia, but I consider this premature now," she said.
