Slovak PM accuses Czech politicians of interfering in Slovakia’s internal affairs

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has accused Czech politicians of interfering in Slovakia's internal affairs and claims that the attacks against him, which portray him as an ally of Putin, are part of a smear campaign against ANO party leader Andrej Babiš ahead of this year’s general elections in Czechia. Speaking to journalists on Monday, Fico said that attacks against him are spreading through the Czech media like cancer, with the aim of hurting opposition leader Andrej Babiš who is slated to win the October general elections. “Babiš’ rivals are working to create the impression that Andrej Babiš in Czechia will be the same as Robert Fico in Slovakia," the Slovak prime minister said.

Czech-Slovak relations are at an all-time low. Last March, the Fiala government suspended consultations with Slovakia over differences of opinion on key foreign policy issues, particularly the war in Ukraine. ANO leader Andrej Babiš has said that if he gets to form the next government he will reinstate the consultations.