Amanda Coakley is an award-winning journalist covering central and eastern Europe, and a Europe’s Futures Fellow at the IWM in Vienna. 

Her work has been published in national and international outlets including Foreign Policy, TIME, The Irish Times, Prospect Magazine, The Independent, New ...

Slovakia Is Headed Back to the (Recent) Past

20 Sept 2023  |  Foreign Policy  |  English  |  Ukraine War

Robert Fico's leftist Smer party is poised to make a comeback in Slovakia's snap elections, raising concerns about the country's future alignment with Western policies, particularly regarding Ukraine. Fico's anti-American and pro-Russian rhetoric has dominated the national debate, worrying diplomats in Brussels and Washington. Despite Slovakia's previous strong support for Ukraine under Eduard Heger, Fico has promised to halt weapon supplies to Ukraine and criticized the EU's sanctions on Russia. Analysts suggest Fico's foreign policy may be more pragmatic than his rhetoric suggests, but his potential return to power could still shift Slovakia's political landscape significantly.

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Progressive Slovakia Smer NATO European Union GLOBSEC Slovak Defense Ministry World Trade Organization German Council on Foreign Relations Bratislava Policy Institute Comenius University

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Miroslava Germanova is a journalist based in Bratislava, Slovakia.

35 Years of Slovak Democracy: The Struggle Goes On

20 Nov 2024  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  Political Polarization

The article reflects on the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in Slovakia, highlighting ongoing political struggles and societal divisions. It contrasts a protest led by opposition parties advocating for democracy with a celebratory event by the ruling Smer party, which faces criticism for undermining democratic institutions. Public sentiment is divided, with many Slovaks concerned about threats to democracy, corruption, and disinformation. Despite challenges, there is optimism about the resilience of civil society and the potential for democratic renewal.

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NMS Market Research Slovakia Progressive Slovakia Smer party

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Tim Gosling is a journalist, editor and analyst based in the Czech Republic. He covers politics, business, current affairs and football across Central & Eastern Europe. Regular bylines for Al Jazeera, Deutsche Welle, Foreign Policy, Politico, The Times. He provides political and economic analysis ...

Slovaks honor revolution with democracy protest

11 Nov 2023  |  www.dw.com  |  English  |  Velvet Revolution

Slovaks commemorated the Velvet Revolution with pro-democracy protests, expressing concern over Prime Minister Robert Fico's perceived authoritarian shift. Fico's government, accused of undermining democratic institutions, faces criticism for reforms reminiscent of Hungary's Viktor Orban. The opposition, led by Michal Simecka, warns of Fico's attempts to align Slovakia with Russia and China, diverging from EU and NATO policies. Amidst political fragmentation, the opposition Progressive Slovakia party gains traction, potentially reshaping the country's political landscape.

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Progressive Slovakia Smer EU NATO

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I'm a Warsaw-based journalist, producer, fixer, photographer and translator working in Central Europe and the Balkans currently mainly for Der Spiegel, one of Europe's top-notch magazines. 

Over the years, I have travelled throughout these regions extensively for multiple other news organizations, ...

The Rise and Fall of Igor Matovic

04 May 2021  |  Foreign Policy  |  English  |  Public Health

Igor Matovic, who became Slovakia's Prime Minister in March 2020, initially represented hope with his anti-corruption platform. However, his popularity plummeted due to his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly his decision to import Russia's Sputnik V vaccine without EU approval. This led to his resignation in April to save the coalition government. Matovic's tenure was marked by a chaotic style and internal tensions. Despite stepping down as Prime Minister, he remains in government as Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, but faces criticism for his inconsistent decision-making. His party, Olano, won the 2020 elections but has since lost support. The article also discusses the broader implications of inexperienced opposition parties taking power in Central European countries.

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Progressive Slovakia party Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (Olano) Direction-Social Democracy party (Smer) Russian Direct Investment Fund Institute for Public Affairs German Council on Foreign Relations

Andrew MacDowall is a experienced correspondent, analyst, and consultant covering Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans. He has also done substantial work in the MENA region and South-East Asia as a business journalist and analyst. He has written for publications including the Guardian, ...

In Slovakia, Fico’s Return Has Europe—and Ukraine—on Edge

30 Sept 2023  |  World Politics Review  |  English  |  European Union Politics

Robert Fico, a controversial former prime minister known for opposing military support to Ukraine and echoing Russian arguments, is poised to win Slovakia’s parliamentary elections, potentially altering the country's political direction within the EU and NATO. Fico's party, Direction Social Democracy, leads in polls, followed by the liberal and pro-Ukraine Progressive Slovakia. Fico's previous terms were marred by accusations of corruption and the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak, which led to significant protests.

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Progressive Slovakia European Union NATO Direction Social Democracy

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British foreign correspondent, published by the Guardian, the Financial Times, Reuters and Vice. Specialise in current affairs, human rights, humanitarian issues, development and sustainable business.

Slovakia’s Election Deepfakes Show AI Is a Danger to Democracy

02 Oct 2023  |  www.wired.com  |  English  |  Elections

Two days before Slovakia's elections, an AI-manipulated audio recording falsely implicating Michal Šimečka and Monika Tódová in election rigging was posted on Facebook. Despite immediate denials and fact-checking efforts, the recording exploited a loophole in Meta's manipulated-media policy. The election saw Progressive Slovakia lose to SMER, highlighting the vulnerability of elections to AI-generated disinformation. Fact-checkers like Demagog and Pravda Association face challenges in combating such content, with AI tools providing only probabilistic assessments. The EU's digital services act aims to improve content moderation, but its effectiveness remains under scrutiny. The situation in Slovakia serves as a cautionary tale for upcoming elections in Poland, the UK, India, the EU, and the US.

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Progressive Slovakia SMER Denník N Demagog EU Pravda Association Republika

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Ugo Poletti is a journalist based in Odessa, Ukraine.

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of “The Odessa Journal”, digital media platform in English about culture, history, social and business life in Odessa, biggest port and cultural capital of Black Sea region

Slovaks Vote in Tight Polls Key for Foreign Policy, Ukraine Aid

30 Sept 2023  |  Kyiv Post  |  English  |  Ukraine Aid

Slovakia held a closely contested early election with significant implications for the country's foreign policy and support for Ukraine amidst Russian aggression. The main contenders were the left-wing Smer-SD, led by former premier Robert Fico, and the centrist Progressive Slovakia, led by Michal Simecka, both polling around 20%. The election was marred by disinformation and targeted attacks on candidates. The outcome will determine Slovakia's stance on providing military aid to Ukraine, with Fico opposing further assistance. President Zuzana Caputova emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine, while the election results, expected to be announced on Sunday, will shape the future government's coalition.

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Progressive Slovakia European Union NATO Smer-SD

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Edward Szekeres is a freelance journalist based in Bratislava, Slovakia. Well-versed in fixing, feature writing, interviewing and breaking news.

Democracy Digest: Hungary Sees Descent of Ideological Iron Curtain, Death of EU

09 Jul 2021  |  Balkan Insight  |  English  |  EU Common Agricultural Policy

Hungary faces EU criticism over its recovery fund plans and anti-LGBT law, with significant political and financial implications. In Poland, Donald Tusk's return to politics stirs hope and controversy. Slovakia's Constitutional Court quashes a referendum on snap elections, sparking political backlash. Czech women will soon be able to drop the -ova suffix from their surnames, a move seen as a victory for gender equality. The EU's new Common Agricultural Policy faces criticism for insufficient climate protection and lack of support for small farmers.

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Progressive Slovakia People’s Party – Our Slovakia (LSNS) European Commission Fidesz Civic Coalition Law and Justice (PiS) Hlas-SD OLaNO Agrofert Group

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Cassandra Vinograd is a freelance journalist and producer specializing in conflict, human rights and migration. She previously worked for NBC News, The Associated Press and The Wall Street Journal. Her reporting has taken her throughout Africa, Europe and the Middle East. 

She is HEFAT certified....

As Slovakia’s Prime Minister Remains Hospitalized, Politics Return to a Boil

23 May 2024  |  www.nytimes.com  |  English  |  Media Control

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico remains hospitalized in serious condition after an assassination attempt, exacerbating political tensions in the country. The attack has led to calls for political unity, but divisions persist, particularly over a controversial bill to overhaul the national broadcaster. The bill, criticized for potentially undermining media independence, has passed its first reading in Parliament. Opposition leaders and government officials continue to clash over the direction of the country's policies, with some warning of increased societal tensions. The suspect in the assassination attempt, a politically radicalized 71-year-old man, has been charged and remains in custody.

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Progressive Slovakia Slovakian Parliament European Commission Smer Chatham House

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