Thousands of Slovaks protest in Bratislava against PM Robert Fico and his Russia-friendly policies
1000’s of protesters took to the streets throughout Slovakia to take part in common demonstrations towards incumbent Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian insurance policies.
Massive crowds once more took to the streets throughout Slovakia on Friday to voice their opposition to populist Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian insurance policies.
During the last three months, tens of 1000’s of individuals have rallied each fortnight in Bratislava and past, demanding Fico’s resignation.
The protests started in late December after Fico’s journey to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a uncommon go to to the Kremlin by a European Union chief since Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine started greater than three years in the past and his remarks that Slovakia may take into account leaving the 27-nation EU and NATO.
Fico, who survived an assassination try in Might 2024, has confronted calls to resign over his feedback about future EU and NATO membership and his declare that Russia had safety causes to invade Ukraine.
Fico’s anti-EU flip
One of the crucial stunning elements of the protests, in keeping with analysts, is that they haven’t been confined to main cities however have additionally taken place in areas the place help for Fico’s ruling leftist-nationalist Smer (Path) occasion is especially sturdy.
The demonstrations occurring in Smer strongholds might trigger a headache for Fico on condition that his occasion received 2023 parliamentary elections by campaigning on a pro-Russian platform and specializing in beforehand untapped anti-state and anti-establishment voters.
That represented a big shift for the 60-year-old, who began his three-decade political profession on the left and beforehand stated Slovakia ought to be on the “core of the EU”.
The turning level got here in 2018 when journalist Ján Kuciak — who had been investigating high-level graft — and his fiancee Martina Kušnírová had been murdered by a contract killer, triggering big protests that compelled Fico to resign from his third spell as prime minister.
Smer misplaced energy within the 2020 parliamentary elections, defeated by events vowing to deal with corruption. With the occasion marginalised, it polled at underneath 10% at one level. However Fico finally began adopting extra excessive positions and espousing pro-Moscow rhetoric that attracted many Slovaks.
Fico was prime Minister from 2012 to 2018. He resigned in 2018 lower than three weeks after the homicide of an investigative reporter – who was taking a look at doable authorities corruption – sparked public outcry and triggered nationwide protests.
He returned to energy in 2023 after his Smer occasion received a parliamentary election. Since his return, he’s ended Bratislava’s navy and monetary help for Kyiv, criticised EU sanctions on Russia and vowed to dam Ukraine from becoming a member of NATO.
He’s additionally declared Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a nationwide enemy, after the Ukrainian chief ended the transit of Russian fuel via his nation following the expiration of a 5 12 months deal.
