Slovak citizens rally against PM's pro-Russian policies in over 50 cities

Protests against the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico erupted once again on February 7, taking place in more than 50 cities across Slovakia and abroad.

The demonstrations, organized under the slogan “Slovakia is Europe,” express growing opposition to the current government's policies, particularly fears that the leadership is paving the way for Slovakia's exit from both the European Union and NATO, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media.

In the capital, Bratislava, the rally was organized by the public initiative Peace in Ukraine, which strongly criticized the government's portrayal of the protests as a coup attempt. The group insisted that their protests were peaceful, stating, “They scare them with a coup d'état, but there will be no coup. They scare them with violent protests, but our protests are peaceful and dignified.”

The civic initiative further accused Prime Minister Fico of collaborating with Slovakia's "enemy," referring to his policies and ongoing visits by government officials to Russia. Organizers of the protests warned that Fico’s government poses a threat to Slovakia's future in a democratic, free Europe. They urged citizens to reject authoritarian practices and pro-Russian propaganda, calling for greater alignment with EU values.

Slovaks living abroad also joined the protests, with rallies held in cities such as Prague, Berlin, Brussels, London, New York, Paris, and Luxembourg, among others.

In response to the protests, Fico took to Facebook, questioning the reasons behind the demonstrations, before sharing an article in which the European Commission dismissed any indication that Slovakia was planning to leave the EU.

On January 22, opposition parties in Slovakia — Progressive Slovakia, Freedom and Solidarity, and the Christian Democratic Movement — reintroduced a motion of no confidence in Fico's government, citing concerns over Slovakia’s foreign policy and deteriorating relations with the EU and NATO. The vote on the motion, which requires at least 76 votes in the 150-seat parliament, is expected to take place within a week.

Just a day prior, the opposition had withdrawn a similar motion, protesting Fico's decision to hold a secret vote on the no-confidence motion, which critics argued undermined transparency and accountability.

By Tamilla Hasanova