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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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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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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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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Hungary takes over the European Council Presidency from Belgium
On Monday 1 July, Belgium will hand over the European Council Presidency to Hungary. At a time of transition in Europe, the periodic rotation of the Presidency will also mark a changeover itself. How has the Belgian Presidency performed? What will be prioritised by Hungary? And what can we expect from the transition?