Bratislava, 30 September 2023 (dpa/MIA) — Slovakia goes to the polls on Saturday in an election that will be closely watched by leaders across Europe for its possible impact on support for Ukraine in its fight against invading Russian forces.

The parliamentary elections could decide whether the EU and NATO country will stop its military aid to its neighbour Ukraine.

Leading in the polls is the SMER-SSD party ("Direction - Slovak Social Democracy"), led by former long-time prime minister Robert Fico.

Fico, who has moved further to the right during the campaign, is criticized as "pro-Russian" by his opponents, a label he rejects.

He says if he returns to power Slovakia will continue supporting Ukraine, but will stop sending arms and ammunition.

In the course of the 19-month war, Slovakia has handed over self-propelled howitzers, warplanes and a S-300 air defence system to Kiev.

But for many Slovakians, the top concerns are closer to home: their country has the eurozone's highest inflation rate of 10% as well as a financially depleted health system. Many worry about care for pensioners and residents of disadvantaged regions, while others are frustrated by increased migration.

Since 2020, a four-party coalition first under prime minister Igor Matovič and then his successor Eduard Heger have been in power. Heger's administration lost support due to constant coalition strife, and its actions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In May, President Zuzana Čaputová replaced the coalition with a Cabinet of technocrats under financial expert Ľudovít Ódor.

The coalition parties, which in the meantime have splintered into smaller factions, all fear that they will be thrown out of parliament by voters in Saturday's election.

Voters who want to prevent a Fico comeback see liberal party Progresivne Slovensko (PS) as an alternative. It is considered untainted by scandals and advertises with the slogan: "Enough of the past! Let's vote for the future!"

The PS appears to be stealing an increasing number of voters from the other parties. But if it indeed wins at the expense of the other parties, leaving it few potential coalition partners, this could also pave the way for a Fico victory.

Fico, who led the government with one hiatus from 2006 to 2018, had been written off as a political force, but the power vacuum has helped him fill the gap, despite allegations of corruption during his time in power.

He may also lack coalition partners. Apart from Fico's SMER-SSD, only two small far-right parties no longer want to supply arms to Ukraine. That could pose a problem, as Fico has tried to distance himself from the far-right.

By stopping weapons deliveries to Ukraine, he argues, he would avoid Slovakia becoming a target. Therefore, he says, he is not "pro-Russia," but "pro-Slovakian."

Polling stations will be open from 7 am (0500 GMT) to 10 pm.