Smer Candidate Quits Prešov Race, Reshaping Regional Election

Judita Laššáková, the Smer-SD candidate for Prešov regional governor, withdrew from the race on October 1, 2026, after an agreement with her party's leadership. Republika leader Milan Uhrík said the withdrawal dramatically increased the chances of his party's candidate, Milan Mazurek, against incumbent Milan Majerský.¹²³

Withdrawal announced

Laššáková, a member of the European Parliament, pulled out of the contest for the Prešov regional self-government presidency after reaching agreement with the Smer-SD leadership. Prime Minister Robert Fico announced the decision on Facebook, saying she left "a positive mark" in the region over the preceding weeks.³⁴⁵

Fico thanked Laššáková for her decision and for what he described as her dignified presentation of Smer-SD's values and politics. Samuel Migaľ, an independent candidate and minister of investments, regional development and informatization, also thanked her, saying she ran "a korektnú kampaň" and wishing her success in the European Parliament.¹⁵

The withdrawal left ten candidates registered for the Prešov regional chair, down from eleven. The election for the regional presidency is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026.¹²⁴

Republika sees opening for Mazurek

Uhrík, leader of Republika, praised Laššáková's decision and said it showed how fractured votes could instead be consolidated behind a single candidate capable of beating Majerský, the KDH chairman who has held the regional presidency since 2017. Uhrík described Mazurek, a Republika MEP, as the only candidate able to defeat Majerský.¹²⁵

Uhrík urged Migaľ to follow Laššáková's example, arguing that Migaľ cannot win against Majerský. He also called on the SNS candidate to withdraw in Mazurek's favour, and Denník N reported indications within Republika that the SNS candidate could indeed step aside.²³⁵

Migaľ responded on Facebook that he welcomes and respects Laššáková's decision. He said he does not want the contest to narrow to two opposing poles and stressed that, as an independent, he would continue focusing on his own plans for the region rather than party politics.¹⁵

Criticism from Progressive Slovakia

Darina Luščíková, a Progressive Slovakia member of parliament, accused Smer-SD and Republika of pursuing what she called dangerous political games and power struggles rather than offering solutions for the Prešov region. According to SITA, she also described Mazurek as a legally convicted extremist.⁴

Progressive Slovakia is fielding 32 candidates for the regional parliament in the same election, according to SITA.⁴