In the Czech Republic, less than two weeks before the second round of the presidential elections, a fierce election campaign began: billionaire and ex-prime minister Andriy Babis placed billboards around the country promising "not to involve the Czech Republic in the war."
This is reported by "News" publication.
"Before the second round of presidential elections, Andriy Babis is trying to turn his opponent Petr Pavel into a warmonger, declaring on his billboards that, unlike him, he will not drag the Czech Republic into war," the publication writes.
On the billboards, Babis claims that he "will not drag the Czech Republic into the war" because he is a diplomat, not a military man. The message is intended to imply that his opponent Pavlo, a retired NATO general, will drag the country into war.
The newspaper notes that Babis' message is absurd, since the president of the Czech Republic does not have such powers. In addition, it is not clear what Babis' team means by "being drawn into the war".
In the Czech Republic, according to the law, the order to mobilize the armed forces is issued by the president at the proposal of the government, that is, not by his own decision. The condition for declaring mobilization is martial law in the country, which is approved by the parliament at the proposal of the government. In the Czech Republic, the government is responsible for preparing and ensuring the defense of the state.
While Pavlo advocates further assistance to Ukraine in the war against Russia, Babish calls for the convening of a "peace summit" soon.
On the eve of the elections, manipulative reports are spreading on the Internet that Pavlo is allegedly going to announce mobilization and send Czechs to the Ukrainian front to fight against the Russians if he is elected. These messages should dissuade voters from supporting Pavel.
Pavlo himself emphasizes a coordinated approach with NATO allies regarding Russian aggression in Ukraine.
As reported, in the second round of the presidential elections in the Czech Republic, two candidates, who were considered favorites from the beginning of the election race: retired general Petro Pavlo and former prime minister, leader of the largest opposition party ANO Andriy Babis.