Presidential candidate Zuzana Čaputová (source: SITA)
The second poll presented in mid-February confirmed European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič's lead.
After the AKO poll, carried out in the first half of February, showed the candidate nominated by the ruling Smer party leading with 18.2 percent, the poll carried out by the Focus agency also suggests he would win the race with 20.1 percent of the vote.
Scientist Robert Mistrík came second with 17.1 percent and lawyer Zuzana Čaputová ended in third with 14.4 percent.
The Focus poll was carried out between February 7 and 12, 2019, for opposition party Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OĽaNO).
Matovič tells Čaputová to give up
Despite Čaputová's growing numbers (up from January's 9 percent), OĽaNO chair Igor Matovič believes that she should withdraw and support Mistrík.
"She had time, an additional three weeks, and this is the outcome," Matovič said, as quoted by the Sme daily. He went on to say she "still has time until Friday" to surrender.
The presidential preferences poll was conducted by Focus in the first half of February 2019 for the OĽaNO political party. (source: Focus )
Ballots will be printed out after February 15. If a presidential candidate thereupon does not withdraw from the race, their name will appear on the ballot. This may confuse voters on March 16 when the first round is held if the candidate withdraws after February 15.
Would she lose against Šefčovič?
The Focus poll also asked respondents whether Mistrík or Čaputová would manage to defeat Šefčovič in the second round, Sme wrote.
Unlike Čaputová, Mistrík would be the one to defeat Smer's candidate with 50.8 percent, the poll suggests.
Čaputová refused to step down from the battle on February 13. Matovič therefore opines there is a huge risk Supreme Court judge Štefan Harabin could face Šefčovič in the second round if extremist presidential candidate Marian Kotleba withdraws.
"Thus, we must act responsibly," emphasised Matovič, as quoted by Sme.
Čaputová could be a good minister, however, he added.
