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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The attacks and demonising narratives against the opposition and the media continue after the European elections. Disinformation actors also revisit the war in Ukraine
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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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 Calls for reconciliation, however, have been replaced by further hate-building.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.
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What Can Liberals and Democrats Fight with ? Finding a Winning Narrative in the High-stakes 2024 European Elections.
New publication from our partners Hungarian Europe Society, dealing with finding the winning narratives in the upcoming European elections, encompassing the crucial current topics in the CEE such as polarisation of the society, the future of the liberal world order or the ever-lasting clash of liberal vs anti-liberal values in Hungary, is now available !
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Second term: Lithuania's head of state Nausėda re-elected
Contract extension for Gitanas Nausėda: Lithuania's president won the run-off election on Sunday and by a clear margin. The 60-year-old economist and former banker, who has been at the helm of the most populous Baltic state since 2019, won 74.5 percent of the valid votes cast. His opponent, Christian Democrat Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, received the remaining quarter of the votes.
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Slovakia is to be saved from the dictate of Brussels by 'patriots'. Apart from the EU elections, disinformers also centred on glorifying Russia and fear-mongering about a nuclear conflict.
As the European Parliament elections approach, the mobilisation of the Slovak disinformation ecosystem continues. The focus is still on the Green Deal, for example, or criticism of opposition MEPs. The celebration of Victory Against Fascism Day was also a resonant theme, serving as an opportunity to glorify Russia and spread false messages. Disinformers spoke of a supposed progressive fascism originating in the West and manifesting itself in the form of Russophobic attacks.
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From Poland with Love. April
The governing coalition has achieved a notable triumph in the local elections, with candidates from the ruling parties, predominantly from the civic coalition, securing mayoral positions in all major urban centers. Meanwhile, Poland is gearing up for the forthcoming European elections, with a lineup of prominent figures, including sitting ministers, vying for candidacy. Additionally, Poland commemorated the 20th anniversary of its EU accession, with the presence of German Foreign Minister Baerbock.