Slovakia's foreign policy at stake in election

DW (English)

Slovakia heads to the polls in parliamentary elections that could see the country reversing its military support for Ukraine, forging closer ties to Moscow. There's growing skepticism in the country over the West's approach to the conflict.

Transcript

00:00 Handing out chocolate bars together with a big dose of anti-Western rhetoric.

00:06 Members of Republika, an extremist far-right party on the campaign trail in rural Slovakia.

00:13 One of their promises - an exit out of the EU and NATO.

00:18 "Pensioners can't live normally.

00:20 They can't afford to pay for heating.

00:22 Young families are fleeing abroad and we're feeding American soldiers."

00:28 Those who have come here to listen to Republika say they are fed up with mainstream politicians

00:34 and media.

00:35 They complain about corruption, inflation and the EU's position on the war in Ukraine.

00:41 "Both sides are to blame for the war.

00:44 That's what I think.

00:45 Both sides.

00:46 But the media only tells us one side of it."

00:51 "This war will end eventually.

00:54 And I'm not afraid of Russia.

00:55 Not at all."

00:56 For Mikaela Ruzickova, sentiments like those don't come as a surprise.

01:01 She works for InfoSecurity, a project devoted to exposing Russian disinformation in Slovakia.

01:07 "Nowadays it is really huge.

01:10 It is big and complex.

01:12 There are many actors.

01:14 It is consisted of the alternative media, which are just websites that are spreading

01:21 false narratives, disinformation, pro-Russian propaganda mainly."

01:25 There are thousands of Facebook pages, she tells us, and more than 300 pro-Kremlin outlets

01:30 in Slovakia.

01:32 Outlets like Hlavnes Brave.

01:34 Last year, one of its contributors was caught on video accepting a bribe from a Russian

01:39 intelligence officer to promote Kremlin talking points.

01:44 Despite the scandal, Hlavnes Brave is still online, still spreading disinformation.

01:50 We pay them a visit.

01:51 "We wanted to speak to the people behind Hlavnes Brave and this is where the office

01:56 of the publisher should be according to the official website, but there is no one here

02:02 and there has been no response to our multiple requests over many weeks.

02:07 Google Maps says this office is permanently closed."

02:11 Pro-Kremlin narratives are also voiced by prominent political leaders in Slovakia, who

02:16 appear eager to capitalize on the remaining traditional pro-Russian sentiment in Slovak

02:22 society.

02:24 That seems especially true for former Prime Minister Robert Fidel.

02:28 He questions arms deliveries to Ukraine and often repeats pro-Russian ideas.

02:34 We confront him during a press conference.

02:36 "Why are you promoting Russian propaganda?

02:39 Do you think it makes you popular?"

02:41 "Why don't you give us the right to have our own opinion about the war in Ukraine?

02:48 Madam Editor, we are not obliged to repeat the rhetoric of United States of America or

02:53 Western Europe."

02:54 A concert in the center of Bratislava, organized by Progressive Slovakia, a pro-European party.

03:03 The country has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and played an important role within

03:07 NATO.

03:08 But now many here are worried.

03:10 "Our security is at stake.

03:12 Maybe also our integrity, maybe our European identity is at stake."

03:20 It is a close race.

03:22 And what's at stake is not only what's next for Slovakia, but also for Europe.

03:26 (upbeat music)

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