BRATISLAVA : Two-for-One Deal?

Slovak Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar’s choice for the country’s presidency, Roman Kovac, will probably get the job eventually, but it is likely to take at least two rounds of voting and some political wrestling by a divided and divisive Slovak Parliament for him to gain the necessary 60% majority over Communist and Christian Democratic opponents.

Meanwhile, former partners in the now-defunct Czechoslovak federation are expected to easily endorse former dissident and noted playwright Vaclav Havel as president of the newly separate Czech Republic.