NATO denies accusations of election interference in Slovakia

BELGRADE, Serbia

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg Tuesday denied allegations that the alliance is interfering in the snap general election to be held in Slovakia in September.

Stoltenberg's remarks came at a joint press conference with Slovak Prime Minister Ludovit Odor after a meeting in the capital Bratislava.

Responding to the accusations of Robert Fico, the leader of the main opposition in Slovakia, Stoltenberg said that NATO conducts different information campaigns in different allied countries.

“This is normal. We've done it many many times in many countries, including Slovakia some time ago,” said Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg said that they organize transparent information activities to inform the public about NATO's activities and stance and that they carry out this for coordination with national authorities.

“We never interfere in domestic political matters. We exist to help each country protect its own democratic process,” said Stoltenberg.

Odor, who is the head of the technocratic government that will rule Slovakia until the elections, said that such information activities are carried out in every country, that this is not objectionable and secret, and that the European Union (EU) carries out similar activities.

“I see no reason to think that NATO wants to interfere in our elections. After all, we have democracy and everyone can have their own opinion,” said Odor.

Robert Fico criticized NATO's public relations campaign, arguing that the aim was to increase the number of Slovaks supporting Ukraine against Russia and to interfere in the elections.

Fico, who served as prime minister in Slovakia between 2012 and 2018, wants to cut support for Ukraine and opposes the tightening of sanctions against Russia, especially in the energy field.