Mass protests in Slovakia target PM Fico

Major protests erupted across Slovakia as tens of thousands of citizens demonstrated against Prime Minister Robert Fico's perceived pro-Russian policies. The largest gathering took place in Bratislava's Freedom Square, where between 42,000 and 45,000 people assembled, according to security estimates reported by Dennik N news website.

The demonstrations, which spread to 41 locations throughout Slovakia and 13 cities abroad, including Prague, mark the largest public outcry since the 2018 protests that led to Fico's previous government's collapse. The current wave of protests was triggered by Fico's recent controversial visit to Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin - a rare diplomatic engagement for an EU leader since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Tensions have escalated following Fico's statements suggesting Slovakia might leave the EU and NATO, along with his government's decision to end military aid to Ukraine and his criticism of EU sanctions against Russia. Protesters chanted "Resign, resign" and "Slovakia is Europe," expressing their opposition to the government's political direction.

The situation has become more complex as Fico, who survived an assassination attempt in May 2024, has accused protest organizers of collaborating with foreign entities to orchestrate a government overthrow, similar to recent events in Georgia. He claims these organizers are under Ukrainian control, though government officials have not provided evidence for these allegations.

Fico's Smer party, which won the last parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform, has taken several controversial stances, including blocking Ukraine's NATO membership bid and declaring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy an enemy after Ukraine halted Russian gas supplies to Slovakia.

Despite opposition calls for his resignation, Fico has refused to step down.