As Czechia approaches parliamentary elections on October 3-4, the campaign has been significantly impacted by a rise in online disinformation, particularly anti-EU propaganda from the populist ANO party led by former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. The nation struggles with enforcement of EU digital regulations, notably failing to implement the Digital Services Act (DSA). The European Commission has taken legal action against Czechia for not appointing a digital services coordinator (DSC), crucial for overseeing DSA compliance. This lack of authority has left local authorities unable to manage disinformation effectively ahead of the elections.
Political reluctance to empower the Czech Telecommunication Office as the DSC, due to criticism of the DSA from anti-EU parties, has hindered coordination efforts. While the Telecommunication Office has organized discussions with major tech platforms, its role remains limited. Fact-checking groups and civil organizations are working under the EU’s Code of Practice on Disinformation but face challenges, including far-right populist narratives that label these efforts as election manipulation.
Additionally, a surge of pro-Russian TikTok accounts is promoting anti-system parties, amplifying fears of a “rigged” election. Public sentiment reflects this anxiety, with a significant portion of the population concerned about election manipulation and the influence of social networks. Overall, domestic political actors and misinformation remain deeply intertwined in Czechia’s electoral landscape.
