Karel Hirman, who served as the Minister of Economy in the government of Eduard Heger from September 2022 to May 2023, has officially declared his candidacy for the position of governor of the Košice region. Even though he has only recently made his intentions public, discussions about Hirman's potential candidacy have been circulating for some time, signaling his ambition to play a significant role in local governance. The political landscape in the Košice region is currently dominated by the incumbent governor Rastislav Trnka, who is seen as the favorite to win the upcoming elections, according to recent polling data.

A recent survey conducted by the agency AKO indicates that Rastislav Trnka would lead the elections with 49.3% of the votes. Opponent Igor Šimko from the Hlas party is projected to receive 19.8% of the votes, while Marián Porvažník from the PS party is anticipated to garner 14.8%. Karel Hirman is currently trailing behind with 7.3%, followed closely by Lucia Gurbáľová from KDH with 6.8%. These numbers underline the challenges Hirman faces in gaining traction among voters, particularly when the leading opponent showcases significant public support.

Additionally, opposition parties including PS, KDH, and the Democrats are in the process of unveiling their candidates for the governor's seat, while negotiating a memorandum to present a single unified candidate for the elections. This strategy aims to consolidate their votes and increase the chances of defeating the incumbent governor. With the election fast approaching, the dynamics within the opposition and their ability to present a cohesive front will be crucial in shaping the outcome of the Košice regional elections.