Former Slovak leader Robert Fico says Czech president is interfering in Slovakia’s election campaign

Robert Fico, former Slovak prime minister and leader of the Smer-Social Democracy Party, which is heading the polls ahead of Saturday's parliamentary elections, has criticized Czech President Petr Pavel for allegedly interfering in the election campaign. Speaking to journalists in New York, the Czech president said that Fico's views were in line with Russian propaganda and his victory in the elections could disrupt Czech-Slovak relations.

Fico said that while he and Pavel have different views on the war in Ukraine, it is not something that should lead to a deterioration of relations between their two countries, adding that it was unacceptable to try to influence voters in this manner.

The former Czech presidents Václav Klaus and Miloš Zeman openly expressed support for Fico ahead of this week's election.