Riding a wave of public fury over corruption, liberal lawyer Zuzana Caputova won Slovakia's presidential election on Saturday, bucking a trend that has seen populist, anti-European Union politicians make gains across the continent. Sefcovic, a respected diplomat who is also pro-EU, is backed by the ruling party Smer, the largest grouping in parliament that has dominated Slovak politics since 2006. "This started in the local election last year, was confirmed in the presidential election, and I believe the European (parliamentary election in May) will confirm it as well." 'Slovakia's Erin Brockovich'Slovakia's president wields little day-to-day power but appoints prime ministers and can veto appointments of senior prosecutors and judges. The election of Caputova means Slovakia has bucked a trend where populist, anti-EU politicians have gained support in other European Union countries.

Source: CBC News March 31, 2019 03:33 UTC