Slovakia: pro-western diplomat contests Russia-friendly politician for presidency

Polls show Ivan Korok and Peter Pellegrini, an ally of prime minister Robert Fico, neck-and-neck before Saturday's runoff

A pro-western diplomat and a politician accused of promoting Russia-friendly talking points will face off in a nailbiting presidential runoff in Slovakia on Saturday, amid fears that the country is sliding away from the west.

Ivan Korok, a former foreign minister, and Peter Pellegrini, the speaker of parliament who is backed by Slovakia's prime minister, Robert Fico, are neck-to-neck in the polls.