The populist victory means NATO will have its first leader sympathetic to Vladimir Putin, who is opposed to EU sanctions against Moscow and has vowed to withdraw military support for neighbouring Ukraine.
Mr Fico and his leftist SMER, or Direction, party has secured nearly 23% of the votes.
The left-wing HLAS party, led by Mr Fico's former deputy in SMER, Peter Pellegrini, was in third with 15%. Mr Pellegrini parted ways with Mr Fico after SMER lost the previous election in 2020, but a possible reunion would boost the 59-year-old's chances to form an administration. Those three parties would have a parliamentary majority if they joined forces in a coalition government.
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