“I couldn’t fit everything.”
For the second time in as many weeks, Slovakian citizens took to the streets to protest against the Robert Fico government (SMER-SD, populist). On 7 February, nearly 50,000 people marched through the capital Bratislava to slogans such as “Slovakia belongs to Europe”, denouncing Fico’s pro-Russian policies and authoritarian excesses, which are alienating the country from its allies in the EU and NATO. Organised by the Mier Ukraine (“Peace for Ukraine”) organisation and local associations, similar demonstrations took place in around fifty other towns across the country, as well as in 13 cities elsewhere in Europe.
The new wave of protests began on 23 December 2024, following Fico’s trip to Moscow, where he met Vladimir Putin. Fico and President Peter Pellegrini (HLAS-SD) have accused the protesters of wanting to stage a “coup”.
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