Disinformation Trends Rise in Eastern Europe as Czech Election Shifts Regional Politics

Pro-Russian narratives and anti-EU sentiment dominated social media discourse across Slovakia and the Czech Republic in early October, according to a new analysis from the Adapt Institute. The period saw disinformation actors exploiting both historical anniversaries and current political events to undermine Western institutions and promote narratives aligned with Russian interests.

The Czech parliamentary elections provided ample fodder for Slovakia’s disinformation ecosystem, as Andrej Babiš and his ANO movement secured victory with over 34% of the vote. The result was welcomed by numerous figures in the Slovak government and pro-Russian media spheres, who characterized it as a rejection of “Western interests” and “Russophobia.”

Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok celebrated the outcome by claiming Czech voters had made it clear “they want politicians who defend the interests of their nation, not foreign geopolitical interests.” This framing reinforces a narrative that positions national sovereignty against Euro-Atlantic membership and portrays pro-Western politicians as serving foreign powers.

Slovak MEP Ľuboš Blaha (SMER-SSD) went further, declaring the Czech result marked the defeat of “Russophobic right wing” politics and would end “anti-Slovak hatred and war hysteria.” His comments reflect ongoing efforts to portray support for Ukraine as irrational and anti-Russian rather than a response to Moscow’s aggression.

Far-right actors also seized the moment, with Slovak MEP Milan Mazurek publishing a video attacking Czech media and politicians that garnered over 650,000 views. Mazurek, who previously faced scrutiny for Holocaust-denying statements, portrayed the election as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among governments that share skepticism toward EU policies and support for Ukraine.

The 81st anniversary of the Carpathian-Dukla Operation became another vehicle for disinformation, with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico using the commemoration to warn that “it is becoming very easy to talk about war in Europe again.” Fico characterized the EU as a “military power” contemplating “war adventure,” positioning Slovakia as a peaceful nation resisting Western aggression.

During the commemoration, Blaha was photographed wearing a St. George’s ribbon, a symbol that has evolved from representing victory over fascism to supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This visual messaging reinforced narratives glorifying Russia’s military actions and portraying Moscow not as an aggressor but as resisting Western expansion.

Anti-EU narratives gained further traction through misleading interpretations of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s speeches. Far-right Slovak politicians shared edited videos where Orbán characterized the EU as “a sinking ship” beset by problems like migration, debt, and energy costs, all allegedly caused by “Brussels bureaucrats.” These posts presented Orbán as a strong defender of national sovereignty while portraying Ukraine as a non-sovereign nation “financially, politically, and militarily controlled from outside.”

The European Parliament’s vote on parliamentary immunity for several MEPs, including Italian MEP Ilaria Salis, who was accused of assaulting far-right militants in Budapest, also fueled anti-EU sentiment. Slovak far-right MEPs presented a distorted account of the vote, falsely implying that “progressives” supported violence against political opponents.

Green initiatives remained a target as well, with disinformation actors falsely claiming that environmental measures were “totally destroying the European economy.” Such narratives align with pro-Kremlin messaging aimed at undermining public support for reducing dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

The Adapt Institute’s monitoring reveals how disinformation actors continuously exploit political moments to promote divisive narratives. By linking current events to deep-seated fears about sovereignty, war, and economic security, these actors seek to undermine trust in Western institutions while portraying Russia as a defender against “fascism” rather than as an aggressor in Ukraine.

The findings highlight the increasingly interconnected nature of disinformation networks across Central and Eastern Europe, where political developments in one country quickly become ammunition for propaganda in neighboring nations.