Czech President Joins Slovakia's Pohoda Festival, Warns of Subtle Threats to Democracy

Czech President Petr Pavel attended Slovakia's Pohoda music festival, where he joined former Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová in a discussion about the evolving nature of threats to democracy. Pavel, when asked what drew him to the festival, answered in a single word. Both leaders warned that democracy is no longer dismantled through tanks rolling down streets, but through far more subtle and sophisticated means — a reference to the creeping erosion of democratic institutions through disinformation, political pressure, and the undermining of independent institutions that has become a growing concern across Central Europe. Pohoda, held annually in Slovakia, is one of the region's largest and most prominent music and culture festivals, and has increasingly served as a platform for civic and political debate. Čaputová, who served as Slovakia's president until June 2024 and was known for her pro-European, liberal stance, has remained an influential public voice since leaving office. Her appearance alongside Pavel underscores ongoing concerns among pro-democratic figures in both countries about the health of democratic governance in the region, particularly at a time when Slovakia's current government under Prime Minister Robert Fico has drawn criticism from European partners over its shifting stance on rule of law and relations with the European Union.