Tens of thousands of people in Slovakia gathered at squares and street across the country on Friday to voice their opposition to the pro-Russia policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.
The latest wave of anti-government rallies was fueled by Fico’s recent trip to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare visit to the Kremlin by a European Union leader since Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022.
Fico’s recent remarks that that it was a possibility to change Slovakia’s foreign policy orientation and leave the European Union and NATO were among other recent steps by the prime minister that fueled the anger of protesters.
“Slovakia is not Russia, Slovakia is Europe” and “We have enough of Fico” and “Resign,” protesters chanted in Bratislava.
Friday’s rallies took place in 28 locations, more than double compared to two weeks ago amid heightened tensions after Fico accused organizers and the opposition earlier this week of being in contact with an unspecified group of foreigners who he says are working toward engineering a coup in Slovakia.