Tens of Thousands Protest Across Slovakia Demanding PM Robert Fico’s Resignation

On 24 January 2025, Slovakia witnessed widespread anti-government protests as part of a movement titled “Slovakia is Europe.” Organised by the initiative Peace for Ukraine, the protests drew an estimated 100,000 participants across nearly 30 cities nationwide.

Solidarity demonstrations were also held in countries such as Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Ireland. The primary demand was the resignation of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Nationwide Demonstrations

The protests were described as peaceful and orderly, contrary to fears voiced by government officials. In the capital, Bratislava, an estimated 60,000 individuals gathered at Námestie Slobody, marking one of the largest demonstrations in Slovakia’s recent history.

Despite a temporary power outage that disrupted sound and lighting, the crowd remained calm, illuminating the area with mobile phones and chanting slogans such as “Resign” and “Enough of Fico.”

Prominent figures addressed the crowd, including actor Tomáš Maštalír and security expert Victor Breiner, both of whom criticised the government for undermining democracy and eroding public trust.

Maštalír rebutted accusations that the protests were foreign-orchestrated, asserting that the demonstrators were driven by their desire for justice and transparent governance.

In Banská Bystrica, over 10,000 participants marched to the SNP Memorial. Writer Michal Hvorecký and activist Alžbeta Lukáčová delivered speeches, with Hvorecký lauding the region’s commitment to democratic values.

Similarly, gatherings in Žilina, Poprad, Prešov, and other cities saw significant turnouts, each underscoring a unified demand for governmental accountability.

Key Demands

The organisers outlined several demands, including:

• The resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico.
• Adherence to the rule of law and respect for the independence of Slovakia’s institutions.
• Rejection of any cooperation with Russia and cessation of anti-Ukraine rhetoric.
• Maintenance of Slovakia’s pro-European and pro-NATO stance.

These demands were reiterated across various cities, with speakers highlighting concerns over Slovakia’s democratic future. A joint open letter signed by over 650 educators and another by 660 psychiatrists and psychologists further underscored public discontent.

Government’s Response

Prime Minister Robert Fico, who earlier claimed the protests were part of a coup attempt backed by foreign actors, has yet to address the demonstrators’ specific demands.

During a press conference, Fico referred to a recent cyberattack on Slovakia’s health insurance system as an example of external interference, though no evidence of such a link has been presented.

President Peter Pellegrini acknowledged the gravity of the situation but emphasised that no violence or unconstitutional activities had been reported during the protests.

A Grassroots Movement

The initiative Peace for Ukraine emphasised the grassroots nature of the protests, dismissing claims of foreign influence. In Banská Bystrica, organiser Tomáš Laube described the demonstrations as a reflection of public frustration with the government’s policies.

In Žilina, young activists from the group Chcem tu ostať (“I Want to Stay Here”) urged the government to take actions that would prevent the emigration of Slovakia’s youth.

Speakers also addressed broader themes, such as press freedom, institutional integrity, and the importance of Slovakia’s EU membership.

In Bratislava, Zuzana Petková of the Stop Corruption Foundation called for transparency, while cultural figures like Czech actor Bolek Polívka urged Slovaks to protect their democracy.

Looking Ahead

The protests concluded without major incidents, with organisers announcing plans for another demonstration on 7 February. Despite the peaceful nature of the gatherings, their scale and intensity reflect growing public dissatisfaction with the current government.

The “Slovakia is Europe” movement represents a significant mobilisation of civil society, demanding accountability, transparency, and alignment with European democratic values. Whether these protests will lead to political change remains to be seen, but the message sent by tens of thousands of Slovaks is unequivocal: the public is unwilling to remain silent.

Image source: aktuality.sk

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