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)
