Slovakia risks succumbing to Russian disinformation, president warns
WORLD 03 June 2023 - 17:36
Slovakia could follow Hungary in becoming an EU problem child, the country’s president has warned.
Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová told POLITICO she is worried about the spread of disinformation in her country and that an upcoming parliamentary election could erode Slovakia’s support for Ukraine.
If populist parties lead the government in the fall this year, the president said in an interview, “maybe it will be more similar to Viktor Orbán-type of foreign policy.
Slovakia has been a strong supporter of Kyiv throughout the war, even providing MiG-29 jets to Ukrainian forces.
But ahead of the country’s September election, Smer-SD — a populist party led by controversial former Prime Minister Robert Fico, which has called for ending military support to Ukraine — is leading in the polls.
Slovakia has been a firm ally of Ukraine. But a new government could change that equation — of particular concern as Russian influence creeps across Europe.
And Russian narratives are finding fertile ground in Slovakia: only 40 percent of Slovaks say Russia is primarily responsible for the war in Ukraine, according to recent polling by think tank GLOBSEC — compared for example to 85 percent in Poland, Slovakia’s northern neighbor.
Slovakia is undergoing a “very difficult period,” the president said, adding, “I see not only polarization, but fragmentation within our society.”
Russia’s successful influence campaign
Though the former Eastern Bloc country may appear strongly pro-Western at the moment, under the surface, disinformation and Russia-friendly narratives appear to be thriving.
Čaputová, a progressive lawyer and former activist, said her country is facing an active Russian disinformation campaign — and that being a “younger democracy, we are more vulnerable.”
The president was blunt about the role she believes some elected politicians are playing in spreading disinformation.
“Some political leaders, including MPs, spread this type of information directly in the parliament, through the media,” she said.
Fico’s party has rejected critics’ concerns.
In an emailed statement on behalf of the party, MEP Katarína Roth Neveďalová — Smer’s international secretary — said that “it is very dirty political practice to accuse the opponents of spreading the disinformation. We firmly reject any of these accusations and lies.”
Yet it seems the impact is tangible.
Some 50 percent of Slovaks say the United States is a security threat to their country, GLOBSEC’s polling shows.
Merely 58 percent of Slovaks would vote to stay in NATO if a referendum were held, and 66 percent agree with the statement that the “US is dragging Slovakia into a war with Russia because it is profiting from it.”
The polling tracks with NATO’s own research, which found that only 51 percent of Slovaks would vote to remain in NATO, compared to 70 percent overall across the alliance.
The NATO tracker also found that half the population of Slovakia would oppose continued help for Ukraine.
Asked why Russian narratives are resonating with parts of Slovak society, Čaputová said it’s a mix of a “positive attitude to common Slavic roots,” a certain view of history, the impact of disinformation and “maybe mistakes in communication of democratic political leaders.”
And many Slovaks are simply fed up, after a series of crises such as the coronavirus pandemic, rising energy prices, inflation and war next door.
“This is,” she said, “why people, I think, are angry or frustrated.”
Pivotal political moment
Slovaks head to the polls in September, in an election that some politicians caution could shift Bratislava’s role within the EU and NATO.
Smer is polling at around 17 percent, according to POLITICO’s Poll of Polls.
Caliber.Az
1
|
20 points. What did Armenia, the EU and the US agree on in Brussels? Sensational details on Caliber.Az
17 April 2024 - 11:01
|
2
|
Iran seeks international backing following missile strikes on Israel Raisi calls Russia & Qatari leaders amid tension
17 April 2024 - 16:56
|
3
|
Serbian President seeks Azerbaijani support amid Western pressures Insights from Political Scientist Stevan Gajić
17 April 2024 - 13:10
|
4
|
French ambassador recalled from Azerbaijan amidst bilateral strain Macron admits defeat
17 April 2024 - 15:19
|
5
|
Is Ukraine on the edge? Big vulnerabilities
17 April 2024 - 16:13
|
US hails return of four villages of Gazakh district
20 April 2024 - 10:00
Western Azerbaijani Community condemns G7 for discrimination in refugee rights call
20 April 2024 - 09:49
Azerbaijan’s Gazakh District hails liberation of villages with joyful demo
PHOTO20 April 2024 - 09:37
EU endorses Azerbaijani-Armenian negotiations, backs delimitation process
20 April 2024 - 09:31
Azerbaijan showcases diplomatic valor by hosting COP29
20 April 2024 - 09:13
Ethiopia opens door for prized coffee exports to foreigners
20 April 2024 - 09:02
Saudi Arabia's $500 billion Neom megacity reportedly seeking new sources of cash
20 April 2024 - 07:03
Ukraine’s frontline is collapsing – and Britain may soon be at war
20 April 2024 - 05:04
Can TikTok's owner afford to lose its killer app?
20 April 2024 - 03:05
Sydney bishop forgives alleged attacker and urges followers not to retaliate
20 April 2024 - 01:03
US blocks Palestine from becoming UN full member
19 April 2024 - 23:00
Egypt, Türkiye to discuss bilateral trade, regional issues, including Gaza
19 April 2024 - 20:59
Geneva to host Turkic Week for the first time
PHOTO19 April 2024 - 20:49
Azerbaijani FM commends outgoing Algerian envoy’s diplomatic service
Discusses bilateral ties & regional developments19 April 2024 - 20:39
NATO approves Azerbaijani-Romanian project
19 April 2024 - 20:30
Baku Airport once again awarded Skytrax
19 April 2024 - 20:21
Punitive op against Israel untied country: Raisi
19 April 2024 - 19:59
US leader weighs another $1 billion in arms sales to Israel
19 April 2024 - 19:42
Parliamentarian hails Azerbaijani president's strategic triumph
For restoring control over four villages19 April 2024 - 19:35
Tensions mount over religious freedom in India
Concerns rise amid BJP's influence and controversial policies19 April 2024 - 19:22
Azerbaijani top prosecutor becomes vice-president of International Association of Prosecutors
19 April 2024 - 19:14
Second-in-command: Hezbollah would respond to Israeli escalation
19 April 2024 - 19:02
Azerbaijani top diplomat, outgoing Italian envoy mull relations & regional dynamics
19 April 2024 - 18:50
Secretary of State: US can not support major military operation in Rafah
19 April 2024 - 18:42
Azerbaijan commends return of four Armenia-controlled villages
19 April 2024 - 18:30
Azerbaijani FM, Palestinian PM discuss situation in Gaza
19 April 2024 - 18:22
Armenian analyst confirms Caliber.Az information
Secret talks in Brussels19 April 2024 - 18:17
Azerbaijan achieves return of villages seized by Armenia
New stage of bolstering nation’s sovereignty19 April 2024 - 18:12
Azerbaijani, Kyrgyz customs services eye to cooperate
19 April 2024 - 18:02
France's ambassador recall from Azerbaijan
A symbolic gesture or strategic misstep?19 April 2024 - 18:00
Türkiye calls for restraint amid reported Israel attack on Iran
19 April 2024 - 17:42
Rogun Hydropower Plant in action and Tajikistan’s energy needs
Blessing or curse?19 April 2024 - 17:37
Public hearings on Azerbaijan's preliminary objections end at International Court of Justice
19 April 2024 - 17:22
Azerbaijan, Armenia agree on important points of border delimitation
Details19 April 2024 - 17:09
US criticises Russian peacekeepers' withdrawal from Karabakh
Revealing double standards in South Caucasus policy19 April 2024 - 17:05
G7 FMs remain committed to fully enforcing sanctions on Russia
19 April 2024 - 17:02
Armenia's shift towards West sparks geopolitical concerns, potential security risks
Armenia may become a target for Iranian or Russian missiles19 April 2024 - 16:45
World's largest Chinese telescope spots over 900 pulsars
19 April 2024 - 16:42
Azerbaijani President, German Chancellor to hold talks in Berlin
19 April 2024 - 16:26
Azerbaijani, Russian leaders discuss further development of strategic partnership
19 April 2024 - 16:24