Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in the central square of the capital of Slovakia, opposing the rule of Prime Minister Robert Ficy and rapprochement with Russia. The organizers of the demonstration estimate that 60,000 people took part in the demonstration at Plac Wolności in Bratislava – the Reuters agency points out that these are four times more participants than during the previous demonstration, which took place two weeks ago.
Even 60,000 people participating in the protest in Bratislava demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Ficy. Meetings, which took place on Friday in over 20 cities, were organized under the slogan “Slovakia is Europe”. The preservation of a pro -western course in foreign policy was demanded.
Even if this data is overstated, the Friday demonstration may be more numerous than the assemblies, which in 2018 led to the resignation of Ficy from the position of prime minister. Then the protests broke out after the murder of investigating journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée.
The Reuters agency estimates that the current protest has gathered four times more people than during the previous demonstration, which took place two weeks ago.
The current wave of demonstration was caused by the Slovak Prime Minister's visit on December 22, 2024 in Moscow and his conversation in the Kremlin with Vladimir Putin.
Anti -government protest in BratislavaJakub Gavlak/PAP/EPA
Protests in Bratislava
At a rally in Bratislava, the organizers called the prime minister for resignation for the first time. Transparency, compliance with the law and rejecting all cooperation with Russiawhich wants a war against Ukraine and destroys human rights.
Friday demonstrations were accompanied by extraordinary security measures. The prime minister said on Tuesday that the planned protests are part of a conspiracy aimed at overthrowing its coalition government.
The organizers responded with appeals for a calm course of demonstration and paying attention to possible provocations. It was asked to inform the police and make photographic documentation.
The protests went calmly, although in Bratislava at one point the lights went out and there were problems with sound system at Wolności Square in the city center. The organizers immediately informed the participants that it was not sabotage. Further protests are to take place in two weeks.
Source of the main photo: Jakub Gavlak/PAP/EPA