Protests in Slovakia after Prime Minister Fico tilts towards Russia

In response to Prime Minister Robert Fico’s apparent push for closer ties with Russia, tens of thousands of people protested across Slovakia.

Up to 60, 000 people gathered in Bratislava for the latest manifestation of public outcry against Fico, whose visit to Moscow last month sparked a string of protests.

Civic group Mier Ukrajine – “Peace for Ukraine” – said it called the rallies in defence of “democracy”, following the prime minister’s remarks on switching Slovakia’s foreign policy and leaving the European Union and NATO.

In Bratislava, protester Frantisek Valach declared, “We do not want to be with Russia. We want to be in the European Union, we want to be NATO, and we want to stay that way.”

On Friday, tensions escalated after the prime minister’s left-wing nationalist government accused organisers and political opponents of attempting a “coup d’etat” in league with an unspecified group of foreigners.

Fico, who was wounded in a shooting that left a gunman dead last year, claimed a group of unidentified experts in Slovakia had supported protests in Ukraine and Georgia last year, citing a secret report from the nation’s intelligence services, known as SIS.

He unveiled no specific evidence, but he stated in a statement that the opposition planned to occupy government buildings, block roads, organize a nationwide strike, and start fighting with police forces as part of his government’s plan to overthrow him.

Opposition parties have sought&nbsp, a no-confidence vote&nbsp, against Fico’s government, but Fico has so far looked set to survive the vote as he maintains a thin majority.

Friday’s protests neared levels seen in 2018 when the murder of Jan Kuciak, a journalist investigating high-level corruption, forced Fico’s resignation.

Fico’s private trip&nbsp, to Moscow&nbsp, in December saw him hold talks with Putin, a rare encounter for an EU leader since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

After Kyiv stopped the transit of Russian gas supplies heading to Slovakia on January 1, he has threatened to halt humanitarian aid in retaliation.