Massive Protests Erupt in Slovakia Against PM Fico's Administration

Protesters express discontent over Prime Minister Robert Fico's policies, escalating a confrontational political landscape.

 

Tens of thousands of Slovaks have taken to the streets in a wave of protests against Prime Minister Robert Fico's government. These demonstrations, which looked significantly larger than past gatherings, were sparked by disapproval of Fico's populist-nationalist coalition, with many expressing deep concerns over his leadership style and foreign policy direction. Rallies unfolded in around 25 towns and cities, drawing estimates of up to 100,000 participants nationwide, with 40,000 congregating in the capital, Bratislava.

Protesters allege that Fico is undermining Slovak institutions, particularly voicing their grievances regarding his perceived growing rapprochement with Russia and increasing antagonism towards Ukraine. Fico, however, defends his actions as a pursuit of a "sovereign" foreign policy encompassing diverse international relations, reiterating that the country’s standing in the EU and NATO remains intact despite the opposition's claims to the contrary.

Fico has accused the liberal opposition of orchestrating a coup, asserting that provocateurs could hijack these protests to incite chaos. He announced that police would begin deporting foreign "instructors" allegedly linked to these provocateurs, while also hinting at recent cyber attacks being indicative of an opposition-led plot to destabilize his government.

Despite Fico's warnings regarding potential violence, the protests have remained largely peaceful, dispelling fears of disorder. Meanwhile, Slovakia's domestic intelligence service, while affirming some of Fico's claims regarding foreign provocateurs, has failed to provide substantial evidence. Protesters continue to rally, challenging Fico's narrative and pushing back against his administration's approach to governance and international relations.