Elections were held in Slovakia's eight self-governing regions on 14 November 2009, at a cost of over â¬8.4 million.
Six of the regional presidencies were won by centre-left Direction â Social Democracy (Smer), with one being won by Smer's national conservative allies, the People's Party â Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (ýS-HZDS). Bratislava was won by the centre-right Slovak Democratic and Christian Union â Democratic Party, having previously been held by ýS-HZDS-backed VladimÃÂr Bajan
Nine further parties won one seat each.