Slovakia Summons UK Envoy Over Alleged £10M Election Interference

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused the UK Foreign Office of interfering in Slovakia's 2023 parliamentary elections by funding a £10 million campaign through a London-based agency, Zinc Network, to support political influencers favoring the rival Progressive Slovakia party. Fico described the alleged actions as a deliberate attempt by a NATO ally to influence Slovakia’s democratic processes and has summoned British Ambassador Nigel Baker for explanations, warning of potential further steps including raising the issue with the EU and publishing names of involved individuals. The UK government has rejected the allegations as "completely untrue," emphasizing that their efforts aimed to encourage youth participation in democratic elections without political bias. Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár and Europe Minister Marek Eštok have indicated plans to address the matter at the EU level, potentially framing it as a case of hybrid threats and foreign electoral interference. Fico, who leads a Moscow-leaning government opposed to EU policies and military aid to Ukraine, compared the situation to what would be a major scandal if Russia were accused of similar interference. The dispute has heightened diplomatic tensions between the two NATO allies as Slovakia demands transparency and accountability concerning the alleged covert campaign.