Massive protests against Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government took place in dozens of Slovak cities and abroad on February 7. According to Aktuality, the manifestations took place in more than 50 cities.
At the events under the slogan “Slovakia is Europe,” participants express their disagreement with the current government’s policies and concern that the current leadership is preparing Slovakia’s withdrawal from the European Union and NATO.
The event in Bratislava is organized by the civic initiative Peace in Ukraine, which warns that the government is scaring Slovaks with an alleged coup d’état.
“They are scaring Slovaks with a coup d’état, but there will be no coup. They scare them with violent protests, but our protests are peaceful and dignified. They scare them because they don’t know anything else,” the public association said.
“These are just fairy tales, lies, and delusions. Slovaks know very well that the real threat to our homeland is the prime minister who cooperates with our enemy,” the civic initiative added, referring to Fico’s policy and the trips of representatives of the government and the ruling party to Moscow.
According to the organizers of the protests, Fico’s government threatens Slovakia’s future in a democratic and free Europe.
“Let’s not allow authoritarian practices and pro-Russian propaganda to dominate our country,” the organizers urged.
Slovaks living abroad will also protest in Prague, Brno, Berlin, Brussels, Krakow, London, New York, Paris, Luxembourg, and other cities.
On Friday, Fico wrote on Facebook, “I wonder why people are actually going to protest today.” He then added an article stating that the European Commission sees no signs that Slovakia is considering leaving the EU.
A secret report by the Slovak intelligence service presented in January spoke of an allegedly long-term organized influence operation to destabilize Slovakia.
Following this statement and in the context of ongoing protests by thousands against his government, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico began talking about preparations for a “Maidan” in the country, accusing Ukraine of involvement. A claim that was refuted by Ukrainian officials.
Photo credit: Branislav Wáclav / Akuality.sk
