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Zuzana Čaputová says PM ‘takes inspiration from Hungary’ on rule of law and Russia stance
Eurosceptic premier faces street protests and opposition from parliament and EU over judicial overhaul
Russia-friendly Robert Fico pledges backing to Kyiv on his first trip to the war-torn country
Robert Fico aligns Slovakia with Hungary’s illiberalism as Poland tries to go in the other direction
Faked Joe Biden robocall underlines prevalence of cheap AI tools being used to create clips aimed at swaying voters
Prime Minister Robert Fico could cement grip on power if coalition partner Peter Pellegrini wins March election
Bloc’s leaders meet in Brussels for summit on Middle East, Ukraine and funding issues
Populist leader who ran on an anti-Ukraine platform forms coalition with two smaller parties
Robert Fico’s Smer party won Saturday’s election capitalising on resentment against Ukrainian refugees
Former prime minister set to try to form coalition that could undermine EU support for Kyiv
Tight margin means Michal Šimečka might struggle to form a stable coalition government if he wins
Also in this newsletter: European Commission on alert over mounting number of green rules breaches
Parties of former journalist Michal Šimečka and ex-premier Robert Fico are polling neck and neck ahead of Saturday’s vote
Hungarian leader accused of allowing people to cross into Slovakia to boost anti-immigrant politician Robert Fico
Elections in the two central European countries will test support for Ukraine and measure the appeal of illiberalism
Agreement follows Kyiv’s rift with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia over unilateral import restrictions
Kyiv files WTO lawsuit against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia after they ban imports
Expected strong backing for pro-Russia parties could affect unity of EU and Nato in opposing Moscow
The former prime minister’s political comeback shows the resilience of populism in central Europe
Also in this newsletter: why Big Tech barely flinches at EU fines
Zuzana Čaputová’s decision comes as Moscow-friendly party emerges as frontrunner in snap election
Resignation of interim prime minister Eduard Heger raises chances for a comeback of former leader Robert Fico
Poland and other member states to lift ban on incoming foodstuffs under Brussels plan for temporary curbs
Bloc bows to pressure from Poland and other eastern European states over influx of cheap foodstuffs
ECB rate-setter Peter Kažimír says he is innocent and is yet to see the judge’s findings against him
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