Tens of Thousands Rally in Slovakia Against Prime Minister Fico's Government

Over 100,000 Slovaks protested against PM Robert Fico's administration, accusing him of undermining democracy, while he alleges foreign interference.

Tens of thousands of Slovaks took to the streets in a nationwide demonstration against Prime Minister Robert Fico, defying his claims that the protests were fueled by foreign provocateurs attempting to incite a coup. Organized rallies unfolded in around 25 different towns and cities across the country, marking the latest installment in ongoing opposition protests against Fico's populist-nationalist coalition.

Protestors expressed outrage over Fico's perceived erosion of Slovakia's democratic institutions and culture, as well as his controversial stance on international relations—including vocal criticism of Ukraine and a warming embrace of Moscow. Despite opposition claims that Fico sought to withdraw Slovakia from both the European Union and NATO, the Prime Minister dismissed such allegations, asserting that his government’s commitment to these alliances remained steadfast.

Estimates from local outlets suggest approximately 100,000 individuals participated in the protests, with the capital city of Bratislava seeing around 40,000 demonstrators alone. Banska Bystrica, a city with a population of 75,000, witnessed around 10,000 taking to the streets. Meanwhile, in Slovakia's second-largest city, Kosice, 15,000 protesters demonstrated to steer clear of an event scheduled for the same evening, illustrating the urgency of their cause.

In the lead-up to the protests, Fico had warned of potential violence and claimed that foreign "instructors" were involved in organizing the demonstrations. On Friday, he alleged that the police would begin deporting these individuals, further escalating tensions. Earlier in the week, he convened a meeting with his government’s security council, asserting that foreign agents, who previously participated in protests in nations like Georgia and Ukraine, were active in Slovakia.

While asserting that a "large-scale" cyber attack impacted the nation's health insurer was linked to a plot against his regime, this claim has been disputed. Reports subsequently surfaced identifying it as a phishing attempt—rather than a widespread cyber assault—calling into question the credibility of the alleged foreign interference.

As protests grow, the division between Fico's administration and the opposition appears to hammer deeper, raising concerns about the future trajectory of Slovakia's democratic framework in light of a government accused of authoritarian leanings.