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Slovak presidential election, 2004

Slovak Presidential election
Slovakia
← 1999 3 April & 17 April 2004 2009 →
  Ivan Gašparovič.jpg Vladimir meciar.jpg
Nominee Ivan Gašparovič Vladimír Mečiar
Party HZD ĽS–HZDS
Popular vote 1,079,592 722,368
Percentage 59.9% 40.1%

President before election

Rudolf Schuster
Nonpartisan

Elected President

Ivan Gašparovič
HZD


Rudolf Schuster
Nonpartisan

Ivan Gašparovič
HZD

Presidential elections were held in Slovakia on 3 April 2004, with a second round on 17 April. Although former Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar received the most votes in the first round, he was defeated by Ivan Gašparovič in the run-off.

The result was surprising because nobody expected Eduard Kukan to be eliminated in the first round. He polled 1st prior the first round with over 30% support. Ivan Gašparovič himself didn't expect to qualify for the second round as he went home to sleep and found out about his success only when he was waken up by phone calls of his friends.

Incumbent president Rudolf Schuster came fourth with 7% of the vote and was eliminated in the first round. He then retired from politics.


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