The surge of nationalism and populism in Central Europe has resulted in growing backing for right-wing parties, raising worries about the dissemination of misinformation, authoritarian tendencies, and their potential effects on democratic institutions. This highlights the vital significance of maintaining strong democratic principles and tackling socio-economic difficulties.

Nationalism has been a long-standing feature in European politics, but recent years have seen a surge in support for populist and right-wing parties in Central Europe, including Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia. This trend has alarmed many observers. For instance, Austria’s September general elections were seen by some as a victory for the far-right opposition Freedom Party, while others have dismissed it as a reflection of rural Austrians’ support for anti-immigration and anti-Islam rhetoric, and a vision of a “Fortress Austria.”

The rise of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s continued hold on power in Hungary, is attributed to similar sentiments of prioritising national identity, cultural heritage, and opposition to immigration. Conversely, Poland’s populist Justice and Law (PiS) party, known for its control over the judiciary and media, and its restrictions on the rights of women and the LGBTQIA+ community, was not re-elected in the 2023 general elections after eight years in power. However, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has already clashed with the European Union over the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, which calls for “mandatory solidarity” in accepting asylum seekers or providing additional funding or resources. Tusk has expressed security concerns and wishes to pause the intake. It is worth noting that by 15 October 2024, over 1.86 million Ukrainians had applied for temporary protection or asylum in Poland, the highest number in Eastern Europe.

Nationalism in Central Europe has deep historical roots dating back to the 19th century. During this time, the decline of empires and the rise of nation-states fostered the growth of national identities. Until the fall of the “Iron Curtain,” nationalistic sentiments were suppressed. After the fall, leadership in countries like Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia integrated diverse ethnic groups and suppressed minority groups seeking greater independence and autonomy, forming clearer national identities. The transition to democracy and market economies provided fertile ground for nationalist and populist movements.

Despite the concerns, global freedom rankings, such as Freedom House describe Central European states (except Hungary) as free, with scores often higher than the United States but lower than Australia. This is due to having multiparty elections and peaceful transfers of power between parties. However, this does not mean that these societies have eradicated  deep-rooted discrimination or eliminated corruption and abuses of power. The mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising prices, and “fatigue” over the War in Ukraine have led many politicians to gain popular support through exaggerated promises and disinformation.

In the September 2023 parliamentary elections in Slovakia, the centre-right Social Democracy Party (Smer-SD) won and formed a coalition with the centre-left Voice (HLAS) and the nationalistic Slovak National Party (SNS). This coalition has faced accusations of political revenge and some SNS members have been criticised for making homophobic and derogatory remarks, and for supporting Russia in the War in Ukraine. The current government, led by Robert Fico (who survived an assassination attempt), has been accused of imposing regulations on media outlets and placing restrictions on non-governmental organisations (NGOs), claiming that they are funded by foreign entities attempting to influence domestic politics.

As the parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic approach next year, the government led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, known for his strong support of Ukraine and Israel, is experiencing the lowest public support since 2013. The ruling coalition, consisting of five parties, faced disappointment in the September regional elections, with the right-wing Action of Dissatisfied Citizens (ANO) party winning in 10 of 13 regions. The far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) and the communist party Enough! (Stačilo!) secured more seats than had been expected. Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who founded the ANO movement to challenge the elites and combat corruption, has populist leanings, and his presidential campaign was marred by several trials related to conflicts of interest and the purchase of offshore property.

The trends in Central Europe are very concerning due to the high levels of disinformation and propaganda. The region is experiencing a rise in populism, ongoing Russian influence, and leaders with authoritarian tendencies driven by ego. With public dissatisfaction and a lack of trust in institutions, it is easy to employ methods like fake news during political campaigns to polarise societies.

Just days before the 2023 parliamentary elections, Michal Šimečka, the leader of the liberal Progressive Slovakia (Progresívne Slovensko), experienced the dangerous impact of AI in politics. A deepfake audio recording of his voice and the voice of journalist Monika Tódová from the daily newspaper Denník N was posted on Facebook. The recording falsely depicted them discussing election rigging, including buying votes from the marginalised Roma minority. This video was strategically posted during the pre-election 48-hour moratorium, a period when politicians and media are expected to remain silent. The perpetrators, unknown, exploited a loophole in Meta’s manipulated media policy, which addresses “faked videos” but not altered audio recordings.

The rise of nationalism, disinformation, and populism in Central Europe has several implications for Australia. As a democratic nation with a diverse population Australia can learn from these experiences and how pro-democratic movements have faced these challenges. Australia is putting forward legislative changes in support of initiatives within the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy. It is pertinent that these changes are in line with best international practices. Additionally, the Australian government needs to commit to better economic policies that will bring opportunities to all, because populists feed on marginalised and disenfranchised populations. The case of Central European countries highlights the necessity to maintain strong democratic institutions and the rule of law. This does not just mean fair elections but also greater accountability for those who break the rules and profit from their offices.

Dr Alica Kizekova is a Lecturer in Strategic and Security Studies and International Relations at Curtin University in Western Australia. She is a researcher at The Korea Research and Engagement Centre at Curtin University and collaborates with the Slovak Foreign Policy Association. Previously, she served as the Head of the Asia-Pacific Unit at the Institute of International Relations in Prague and was an Expert Adviser to the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic’s Parliament.

This article is published under a Creative Commons License and may be republished with attribution.