Incumbent favorite in Slovak presidential race

Slovaks voted Saturday for a new president, a race in which the incumbent is considered the favorite for the largely ceremonial position.

President Ivan Gasparovic, seeking a new five-year term, has led all the pre-election polls.

But with a field of seven candidates, analysts predict that a two-candidate runoff _ scheduled for April 4 _ will be needed because no one is expected to receive the necessary majority to win directly in the first round.

The president has the power to pick the prime minister and to appoint Constitutional Court judges, as well as the power to veto laws. But parliament can override the veto with a simple majority.

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