Slovakia summons UK envoy over “election interference”

Premier Robert Fico claims that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of Great Britain paid influencers via a media agency to influence the Slovak general election in 2023 to the detriment of Smer-SD and in favour of Progressive Slovakia (PS).
Photo: newsnow.tasr.sk

Slovakia's government summoned the British ambassador due to an escalating dispute after Prime Minister Robert Fico accused UK authorities of interfering in the country's 2023 parliamentary election, Bloomberg reports.

Fico accused UK authorities of helping groups that tried to steer the 2023 vote, which he said is "a deliberate and intentional action by a foreign power" aimed at influencing the elections.

Fico’s comments followed a media report that the Foreign Office signed a £10 million ($13.3 million) contract with a media agency three years ago to assist digital influencers.

Fico said that UK authorities helped groups that tried to steer the 2023 vote, which returned him to office five years after he had resigned the premiership.

“This is a deliberate and intentional action by a foreign power, which is our NATO ally, in cooperation with some Slovak influencers and journalists, aimed at influencing the 2023 elections,” Fico told reporters in Bratislava.

The Slovak leader has excoriated the country’s opposition, media and non-governmental organizations for conspiring against him, often deploying unsubstantiated rhetoric. His accusations have intensified since he recovered from an assassination attempt last year.

The media report from investigative news website Declassified UK cited an effort to mobilize young voters in the eastern European Union member state two years ago. The Foreign Office denied that any campaign was part of a partisan attempt to manipulate the contest.

“This activity was aimed at encouraging young people to take part in democratic processes in their countries by participating in elections — regardless of their political affiliation or preferences,” the embassy said in the statement.

The British ambassador was summoned to provide further details in a meeting expected early Wednesday, a rare step between NATO allies. Fico warned that Slovakia is prepared to take further action depending on the outcome of the exchange.

Fico’s party Smer won the 2023 vote over pro-EU Progressive Slovakia party, mainly on its flagship promise to stop military aid to neighboring Ukraine and its opposition to EU policy on issues ranging from migration to security to climate.

The UK Foreign Office dismissed the charge as "completely untrue", but nevertheless admitted that that their activity was aimed at encouraging young people to take part in democratic processes by participating in elections.

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