Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) 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), referring to a story published on the marker.sk portal. For this reason, Slovakia will summon British Ambassador Nigel Baker, from whom it will demand an explanation of all the details, Fico added.
"There was a targeted deliberate activity by a foreign power, which is our ally in NATO, in cooperation with some Slovak journalists and in cooperation with some Slovak political influencers, to influence the election in 2023," said Fico, adding that Britain's Foreign Office signed a contract with the agency worth almost £10 million. "This agency was supposed to seek influencers, political activists in central and eastern European countries and to influence events in these countries," stated the Premier, adding that the spokesperson for the British Foreign Office hasn't denied anything and has only said that "it will fight for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law".
The marker.sk portal reported that the British government is "secretly funding hundreds of foreign influencers whose job is to create political propaganda on YouTube". It refers to the findings of British investigative platform Declassified UK. The work is reportedly being coordinated by London-based media agency Zinc Network on behalf of the British ministry as part of a deal worth almost £10 million. The work allegedly included a campaign to mobilise young voters in the Slovak election in 2023.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office rejected Fico’s claims. They added that the activity was aimed at encouraging young voters to take part in the election.
"Any suggestion that the UK sought to influence the outcome of the election, or to encourage people to vote for or against a particular political party, is completely false. This activity was aimed at encouraging young people to participate in their countries' democratic process by taking part in elections, regardless of their political affiliation or support," the British Foreign Office said in a statement.
According to opposition party PS leader Michal Šimečka, Fico should address problems in Slovakia instead of raving about coups and spoiling relations with our closest partners. Šimečka advised the premier that if he wants to address unfair election competition, he should look at the support provided to him by several influencers or at the financing of Peter Pellegrini's presidential campaign.
Igor Matovič, the leader of the opposition “Slovakia” party stated that by summoning the British ambassador, Fico is trying to cover up the failure of European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič in negotiations on tariffs with the USA. Matovič perceives the statements by the government about alleged election interference as another attack on an allied country.
Opposition party SaS also held a press conference in regards to Fico’s claims where they stated that the United Kingdom did not want to influence the election in Slovakia. They added that the campaign sought to popularize the election among young people and Slovakia has been involved in similar projects in the past.
Opposition party KDH announced that they will not react to the accusations presented by Fico without knowing the facts and that it is trying to obtain relevant information. The party said it would take a final position on the issue only afterwards. However, it advised the Premier to address the problems of Slovak citizens with the same energy he devoted to the press conference.
Source: TASR
