BRATISLAVA, April 5 (Reuters) - Slovakia's President Ivan Gasparovic was re-elected for a second term, results of a run-off vote showed on Sunday, after a poll that was seen as a test of support for the prime minister.
Gasparovic won 55.53 percent of the vote held on Saturday, the Central Election Committee said, an expected strong showing as the 68-year-old lawyer endorsed by leftist Prime Minister Robert Fico had led in opinion polls before the election.
He beat Iveta Radicova, a 52-year-old sociologist put forward by the opposition, who obtained 44.46 percent of the votes in the contest for the largely ceremonial post of president.
Analysts said the election was a gauge of support for Fico and his social democrat Smer faction, both by far the most popular in opinion polls, one year before the ex-communist EU member and euro zone newcomer holds a parliamentary election.
"Presidential elections are the first test for Smer and Robert Fico ahead of the general election, this was reflected in their engagement in the campaign," said Erik Lastic, a political analyst from the Commenius University in Bratislava.
Gasparovic has been close to Fico and supports his ambition to improve the living standards of those affected by the belt-tightening reforms of the previous centre-right administration.
Observers said Fico wanted a president who would not complicate his governing programme by using a right of veto on laws, although parliament can overturn that veto.
Fico and his government face the prospect of the first ever economic contraction in Slovakia this year and the loss of thousands of jobs. (FACTBOX of presidential powers and candidates [ID:nL5101461]) (Reporting by Martin Santa, writing by Peter Laca)