Prague
In 2004, the Central European and Baltic countries joined the European Union as new members. The Prague office seeks to strengthen liberal forces, both political and intellectual, in the region. Our project office particularly supports the 4liberty.eu network, which serves as a centre of competence and a platform for dialogue.
News
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Epilogue of the discrediting campaign against Michal Šimečka and the opposition
The dismissal of Michal Šimečka from the position of Deputy Speaker of Parliament was accompanied by a prolonged discrediting campaign and false narratives. Particular attention was paid by disinformation agents to the activities of Šimečka's father, Martin M. Šimečka, and his partner, Sona Ferienčíková, who was allegedly drawing a disproportionate amount of funding from the Fund for the Support of the Arts and enriching herself in this way.
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From Poland with Love. August
The latest edition of From Poland with Love dives deep into the financial troubles facing the PiS party after the National Electoral Commission rejected their election report, causing them to lose millions in funding. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Donald Tusk intensifies his accusations against PiS for misusing public funds, promising to recover significant sums. Amid these political tensions, Poland's defense spending reaches historic highs.
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Bogeyman Šimečka and the "peace" celebration of the Slovak National Uprising. Disinformers continue to build pro-Russian sentiments in Slovak society
The leader of Progressive Slovakia (PS), Michal Šimečka, continued to be subjected to dubious accusations by the ruling coalition in the past weeks. The 80th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), which falls on 29 August, has become the target of manipulation and political abuse as well, which has been dominated by the glorification of today's Russia and the justification of its actions towards Ukraine.
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Illegitimate protests, a rigged opposition and a conspiratorial media. The disinformation scene continues its attacks on democracy and the interests of the Slovak public
In the past two weeks, the disinformation ecosystem in Slovakia focused mainly on the civil and political protests that took place in Bratislava. Together with the representatives of the government coalition, they tried to delegitimize the protests in particular. The opposition was often labelled as controlled or rigged. Ad hominem attacks on Michal Šimečka and the Progressive Slovakia party complemented the latest reverberations of the Olympic Games.
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Oil, the Commission's betrayal, and the West's demise at the Olympics. The disinformation scene is working at full speed even in the middle of summer
The suspension of the flow of Russian Lukoil oil to Slovakia and Hungary via Ukrainian territory was the subject of lies and misleading. The disinformation scene continued to deepen the polarization lines of Slovak society. The participation of sexual minorities in the opening ceremony of the Olympics was sold to their audience by the disinformers as salacious proof of Western decadence.
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From Poland with Love. July
This month's spotlight covers the arrest of Marcin Romanowski, a former Polish deputy justice minister, on charges of misusing public funds. Additionally, Sejm's rejection of a conservative abortion bill highlights deep divisions within the ruling coalition on socio-cultural issues. On the diplomatic front, a conflict between Poland's executive branches over ambassador appointments underscores tensions. Meanwhile, PiS faces potential bankruptcy due to financial irregularities, posing a significant threat to its future.
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Kaja Kallas and the New Era of EU Diplomacy
Just three weeks after the European elections, the European Council agreed on the top jobs of the European Union: Kaja Kallas, the current Prime Minister of Estonia, has taken over as the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Known as "Europe's Iron Lady", Kallas stands for a resolute stance towards Russia and support for Ukraine. But who is this liberal politician who will soon be shaping European diplomacy?
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A Most Harmful Presidency
For over a decade, Hungary's illiberal regime has threatened the EU’s values and reputation. Despite warnings, the EU hasn't acted decisively. Read more in analysis by our partner Zoltán Ranschburg.
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Trump is another victim of progressive hate, according to the disinformers. NATO's Ukraine supposedly guarantees World War III
In the past two weeks, Slovak disinformation ecosystem was parasitic on the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. In particular, actors tried to create false analogies between the attempted assassination of the US ex-president and the Slovak prime minister. Efforts to create a deadly image in which Donald Trump and Robert Fico are the victims of media hatred and a global political conspiracy have dominated. Another topic of great influence was the re-election of Usula von der Leyen as Prsedident of the European Commission.
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From Poland with Love. June
In June, the most prominent issues in Poland once again centered on elections, this time for the European Parliament. Donald Tusk's coalition emerged victorious, thereby ending a long streak of wins for the PiS party. Another significant concern was security, notably due to the ongoing tensions along the Belarusian-Polish border. Additionally, new conflicts have arisen in Polish-German relations.
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Liberal cancer and invincible Russia. Pro-Russian actors in Slovakia are working at full speed
The governing coalition in Slovakia and its associates continue their attacks on liberalism and progressivism. They have succeeded in vulgarising the terms and are gradually creating an internal enemy or future scapegoat for their audience. Efforts to legitimise Russia's aggression in Ukraine are also being revitalised. They continue to set the interests of Slovakia and the West against each other. Some of the manipulators call for good relations with Russia and call for pan-Slavic solidarity.
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The attacks and demonising narratives against the opposition and the media continue after the European elections
Disinformers in Slovakia have interpreted the results of the EP elections as a desired decline of progressivism and a change of circumstances in favour of patriotic political forces. Attacks on the Slovak mainstream media and the opposition also continued to trend. At the same time, the disinformation ecosystem is returning to tried and tested narratives about the war in Ukraine. These are often in direct line with Russian propaganda.
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Slovakia’s EU election campaign culminated in the exploitation of the attempt on Fico's life
One of the most discussed topics in the past two weeks has been the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Fico. Various actors and the Prime Minister himself, who addressed the citizens for the first time since he was injured, have spread disinformation about the reason for the attack and the blame continues to be clearly attributed to the opposition. Journalists and even the private broadcaster, Markíza, are also under increasing pressure. And shortly before the European Parliament elections, disinformation about the EU peaked in popularity.
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From Poland with Love. May
Poland has demonstrably experienced several types of cyber attacks from Russia in recent weeks. In addition to the escalating situation with illegal migrants on the Belarusian-Polish border, there have been a number of fires in Poland. The Foreign Minister has decided to restrict the movement of Russian diplomats on Polish territory. In addition, a commission is being set up to assess Russian influence on domestic politics.
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The spread of hatred and disinformation continues after the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Fico
The assassination attempt on the Prime Minister Robert Fico shook the whole Slovak society. Calls for reconciliation, however, have been replaced by further hate-building. The disinformation ecosystem and politicians attacked opposition parties and mainstream media in particular. Actors used the tragic event to belittle the media's role in democracy. Moreover the campaign for the EP elections has accelerated in the Slovak disinformation scene again. Disinformation actors spread largely misleading messages about the threats of liberalism or LGBTI and questioned the extent of climate change.
