Slovakia has seen growing political tensions in recent months, with divisions deepening between the government and opposition.
The country’s direction on foreign policy, particularly its stance toward Russia and the European Union, has become a major point of contention.
On Friday, tens of thousands of people gathered in Bratislava’s Freedom Square to protest against the policies of Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Demonstrations in 20 cities
Organizers estimated the crowd at around 60,000, significantly larger than previous demonstrations.
Protesters waved Slovak and EU flags, chanting slogans such as “Enough with Fico” and “We Are Europe.”
Many also illuminated the square with their phone lights after a brief power outage, according to Digi24.
Demonstrations were not limited to the capital. Protests took place in at least 20 other cities across Slovakia, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the government’s policies.
Tensions between Fico’s administration and the opposition have been escalating. The nationalist government has accused opposition groups of attempting to destabilize the country and overthrow the government.
Officials have warned of potential preventive measures to counter what they claim are efforts to escalate the protests into unlawful actions.
Opposition leaders and civic organizations have rejected these accusations, stating that the demonstrations are a response to government policies that undermine democratic values.
Fico, who returned as prime minister for a fourth term in 2023, has been criticized for shifting Slovakia’s foreign policy away from its traditional European and NATO allies while strengthening ties with Russia.
His recent private trip to Moscow, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has fueled further discontent.
The visit, one of the few by an EU leader since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, raised concerns about Slovakia’s reliance on Russian energy.
