Title: Robert Fico, the controversial man who is making a political comeback in Slovakia
Introduction :
The parliamentary elections in Slovakia took a surprising turn with the victory of Robert Fico, the controversial former prime minister. After being removed from power five years ago following the murder of a journalist who revealed corruption cases, Fico is making a strong return to the Slovak political scene. In this article, we will look at the career of this populist politician and his use of disinformation techniques to rise to power again.
An unexpected comeback:
The results of the parliamentary elections in Slovakia were marked by the victory of the Smer-Social Democracy party led by Robert Fico. With 23.3% of the votes, the party is ahead of its competitors and allows Fico to claim a new mandate as Prime Minister, on condition of forming a government coalition. This victory is all the more surprising since Fico was forced to resign in 2018 following the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée. This double murder caused great tensions and popular demonstrations demanding Fico’s resignation.
A career marked by controversy:
Robert Fico served as Prime Minister twice in Slovakia. But his political career was marred by numerous controversies. Already known for his tumultuous relations with the media, Fico used aggressive speeches towards journalists, going so far as to describe them as “idiot hyenas” and “dirty anti-Slovak prostitutes”. These attacks on the press have contributed to fueling a climate of mistrust and corruption within the government.
The exploitation of fake news for power:
In his race for power, Fico used disinformation techniques and fake news to influence public opinion. He communicates mainly through videos posted on social networks like Facebook, YouTube and Telegram, which have become extremely popular in Slovakia. A 2022 survey found that more than half of Slovaks are receptive to these fake news, believing in conspiracy theories that the world is ruled by secret groups seeking to establish a totalitarian world order.
A controversial political program:
In his campaign, Fico is banking on promises of stability, order and well-being for the country. However, some of his positions have caused controversy. He strongly opposes the reception of migrants in Slovakia and displays marked hostility towards the LGBT+ community. He even called the adoption of children by same-sex couples a “perversion.” His conservative and authoritarian positions recall his admiration for Vladimir Putin.
Conclusion :
Robert Fico’s political comeback in Slovakia raises many questions. His use of disinformation techniques and his controversial speech raise fears of democratic backsliding and polarization of Slovak society. The formation of a government coalition will be crucial for his retention in power and for the political future of the country. All that remains is to observe future developments and the impact of this unexpected return on the Slovak political scene.