Fico: I Won't Run for President in 2019

Bratislava, December 8 (TASR) – Governing Smer-SD party head and Prime Minister Robert Fico won’t run for the post of president in the next presidential election in 2019, TASR learnt at a press conference held by the premier in Parliament on Friday.

“I’m declaring this on my son’s health, and you know that I keep my word. I won’t run for president,” said Fico.

When a journalist challenged the premier about keeping his word, reminding him of his statement that he would no longer be in politics in 2014, Fico said that he’ll remain in politics as long as there is interest in his service among the public. “Smer-SD is the most successful political project in the history of modern Slovakia. Our legitimate ambition is to win the next general election and, if possible, to set up a government,” he said.

Regarding the premier’s unsuccessful bid in the 2014 presidential election, Fico said that it was a political mistake to run for the post of president from the post of prime minister. “My voters tell me they didn’t vote for me because they wanted me to remain as prime minister. No matter where I am and what’s going on, I won’t run for the post of president in 2019,” he reiterated, adding that there’s still time to look for a suitable candidate.