Rage and Rejection

Tens of thousands of Slovaks took to the streets over the weekend in the largest anti-government demonstrations in years, protesting Prime Minister Robert Fico’s pro-Russian stance and his suggestion that Slovakia could leave the European Union and NATO, the Associated Press reported.

On Friday, an estimated 110,000 demonstrators marched in 41 towns across Slovakia and 13 cities abroad, with Bratislava drawing around 45,000 people.

The protests, initially concentrated in urban centers, have now spread to rural regions traditionally supportive of Fico’s Smer party.

Demonstrators chanted “Resign, resign” and “Slovakia is Europe,” voicing anger over Fico’s recent visit to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin – visits to the Kremlin by an EU leader are rare since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.

Observers called Friday’s demonstrations the largest since 2018 when mass protests broke out over the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová. The protests led to the collapse of Fico’s previous government.

Fico, who survived an assassination attempt last year, has faced backlash since returning to power in October 2023.

His government ended military aid to Ukraine, opposed EU sanctions on Russia, and vowed to block Ukraine’s NATO bid.

In response to the protests, Fico accused Ukrainian and Georgian forces of orchestrating a coup, though he has provided no evidence. The Peace for Ukraine NGO, which helped organize the demonstrations, dismissed his claim, calling him “the main protagonist of Russia’s hybrid war in Slovakia.”

Protesters also accused the prime minister of harming Slovakia: The country is experiencing economic woes, a struggling education system, and deteriorating healthcare, Politico noted.

Despite the backlash, Fico dismissed the demonstrations.

He pointed to an EU statement affirming that Slovakia is not considering leaving the bloc and insisted that relations with Brussels remain “constructive and productive.”