Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused the British government of interfering in the 2023 parliamentary elections

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico © Simona Granati / Corbis via Getty Images

Slovakia’s government has summoned the British ambassador as diplomatic tensions escalate after Prime Minister Robert Fico accused the UK of meddling in the country’s 2023 parliamentary elections.

Speaking in Bratislava on Tuesday, Fico claimed that the UK authorities had supported groups attempting to sway the vote that returned him to office.

“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,” he said.

Fico’s remarks followed a report by Declassified UK, which said the British Foreign Office had signed a £10 million ($13.3 million) contract with a media agency in 2021 to support digital influencers. The campaign reportedly aimed to boost youth voter engagement in EU member states, including Slovakia.

The Foreign Office rejected the accusations as “completely untrue,” according to a statement released through its embassy in Bratislava. The statement emphasized that the UK’s efforts were 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.”

 

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According to Slovak media, the British envoy will be asked for an explanation about whether the UK paid activists to influence the election. Fico said Bratislava could take further steps depending on the outcome of the meeting.

Fico’s party, Smer, won the 2023 election over the pro-EU Progressive Slovakia party, campaigning against several EU policies and military aid to Ukraine. Fico survived an assassination attempt last year by a pro-Ukraine activist who disagreed with his opposition to arming Kiev. Fico has continued to maintain ties with Moscow, including holding talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on energy cooperation and the Ukraine conflict.