Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic has been re-elected to the largely ceremonial post in a runoff ballot, according to the final results announced Sunday. The incumbent declared victory after taking a decisive 55.53 percent of Saturday's vote, according to official results that gave his challenger Iveta Radicova 44.47 percent, Associated Press reported. «I've been sure that people trust me,» said Gasparovic, who had been favored to win. He is backed by the socialist and ultra-nationalist parties that dominate government, and had campaigned on pledges to guard Slovak national interests and provide stability and continuity through the global financial crisis. Gasparovic is the first president since Slovakia's 1993 independence to be elected for two five-year terms. He was first elected in 2004. Prime Minister Robert Fico welcomed the result, saying «I'm glad that another period of stability is ahead of us.»
