BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Thousands of people rallied in the Slovak capital on Thursday to protest Prime Minister Robert Fico’s pro-Russian policies and a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that critics say signals a shift away from Western alignment.
Protesters gathered at the central SNP Square, chanting “Shame, shame” and “We had enough of Fico,” while also denouncing a proposed package of austerity measures the government plans to present to parliament. Organizers and opposition politicians said the demonstration was prompted by Fico’s trip to Beijing, where he attended a military parade hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and held what was described as his third meeting with Putin since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The government’s austerity proposals, which are scheduled for debate in parliament on Friday, drew scorn from demonstrators who said cuts would burden ordinary Slovaks. Protesters also cited scandals tied to alleged misuse of European Union funds as a reason for renewed demonstrations against the coalition led by Fico’s Smer party.
“This is just a beginning,” Alojz Hlina, an organizer from the opposition Freedom and Solidarity party, told the crowd. “We have to stop them.” Organizers said another major opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, planned a separate rally on Tuesday.
Fico, who returned to power in 2023 after his leftist Smer party won parliamentary elections campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform, has repeatedly called for “normalizing” relations with Moscow. He was the only European Union head of government to attend the Beijing event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, drawing criticism from opponents who say his engagements with Putin and other authoritarian leaders undermine Slovakia’s ties with Western allies.
Opponents note that Fico has not visited Kyiv or territories of Ukraine affected by the war and say his diplomacy mirrors that of other nationalist, EU-skeptical leaders. Supporters of Fico have defended his outreach as pursuing Slovakia’s national interest and strengthening bilateral economic ties.
The protests mark an escalation of public discontent that has simmered since Fico’s return to power. Previous demonstrations targeted his government’s foreign policy direction and alleged domestic mishandlings. The latest wave reflects growing concern among parts of the Slovak public about the country’s course on foreign policy, EU relations and domestic economic policy.
Parliamentary debate on the austerity measures and continuing street protests are expected to test Fico’s ability to maintain his governing coalition and manage pressure from both opposition parties and civic activists. Internationally, capitals in Brussels and neighboring EU states have watched the developments closely, given Slovakia’s role in regional politics and the broader European response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine.