Regional Election 2026: Karel Hirman Withdraws from Košice Governor Race, Backs Marián Porvažník

Karel Hirman has withdrawn from the race for governor of the Košice region in Slovakia's 2026 regional elections and will support Marián Porvažník instead. The two candidates had previously agreed that by the end of May, whichever of them had greater public support would continue as the sole candidate for the position. Porvažník apparently demonstrated stronger backing from voters, leading to Hirman's decision to step aside. Regional governors in Slovakia oversee county-level administration and are elected directly by voters every four years, with the next elections scheduled for 2026.