What stance should the Czechs take vis-à-vis Slovakia?
Dismay at the political course in neighbouring Slovakia is growing in the Czech Republic: first Robert Fico has made a comeback as PM and now Fico's aide Peter Pellegrini has been elected as president. In particular the different attitudes towards Putin are putting a strain on the traditionally close relations between these two countries with a shared history.
Recpect our neighbour
Echo24 advises the Czechs not to wag a moral finger at the Slovaks:
“This is the second election in which the Slovaks have voted differently to how the ruling Czech representation and its voters would have done. They do not want to leave key structures such as the EU or Nato, but they attach greater importance to their own national identity. This is their right, their will. ... Representatives of the state and government in the Czech Republic should accept this, build on agreements, refrain from lecturing or criticism and respect our neighbour, which is close to us in many ways. If only because we have enough problems of our own.”
Prague cannot remain silent
Český rozhlas takes a different view:
“The Czech Republic should comment on what is happening in Slovakia - either publicly or through quiet diplomacy. Because this is not just about mutual relations but also about the defence of its own interests. The Czech Republic needs Slovakia as a trustworthy partner in matters of security, the exchange of secret information and the fight against the Kremlin's hybrid war. ... Peter Pellegrini will take office in mid-June as the successor to Zuzana Čaputová, who is popular in the Czech Republic and maintains good relations with President Petr Pavel. Political coexistence with our Slovakian friends will be very fragile and sometimes painful in the future.”
Help Slovakian media and pay close attention
Critics of the Fico government need support from the Czech Republic, Hospodářské noviny insists:
“Help for independent media and NGOs will undoubtedly be needed if Slovak society is to maintain the necessary degree of pluralism and resilience in the years to come. ... Czech media should support their Slovak colleagues in remaining independent. ... From the Czechs' point of view, this is first and foremost a matter of self-defence. What Fico is doing is and will undoubtedly be a source of great inspiration for some politicians in the Czech Republic. The battle over public broadcaster RTVS may therefore, to some extent, decide the future of Czech public media.”