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‘Slovakia is Europe’ — thousands of protestors take to the streets against Fico’s pro-Kremlin agenda
Photo Caption:People gather to take part at a protest called “Slovakia is Europe” in Bratislava Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jakub Kotian/TASR via AP)
Thousands of protestors gathered on March 7 in more than 40 cities across Slovakia targeting the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovak media Aktuality reported.
In Bratislava’s Freedom Square, protesters chanted “shame” and called Fico a traitor, declaring that “Slovakia is Europe.”
Fico’s government has faced criticism for its perceived alignment with Russian interests, and his administration has repeatedly criticized Western aid to Ukraine.
Demonstrators accused Fico of distancing from the European Union, and for strengthening ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Robert Fico chose Putin, Slovakia chooses Europe,” the protest organizers said.
Protesters also condemned remarks by Fico’s chief advisor, Erik Kalinak, who recently suggested that Russia’s defeat of Ukraine would give Slovakia a “reliable neighbor.”
Numerous large-scale protests have occurred in Slovakia in the past few months following Fico’s remarks and visit in Dec. 2024 with Putin in Moscow. In Jan. 2025 hundreds of thousands of protestors took to the streets, chanting similar slogans including “Enough of Fico.”