Friday's protest began with an air raid alarm to remind people of the ongoing war in Ukraine. An open letter was also read and presented simultaneously in 13 other cities in Slovakia. It stated, among other things, that freedom, independence and democratic values are under threat in the country. According to protesters, the government coalition led by Robert Fico is weakening alliances with the EU and NATO. The letter also recalled the protest slogan: “We are Slovakia. We are Europe.”
Based on drone photos, it was estimated that 15,000 people participated in the protest. people.
Activists and representatives of civic initiatives appeared on the podium. The organizers deliberately refrained from inviting parliamentary politicians. Participants brought flags of Slovakia and the European Union, and slogans were heard among the crowd: “we are ashamed of Fico”, “enough of Fico”, “we will not give Slovakia back” and “betrayal of the homeland”. There were also whistles and boos.
At the request of the organizers, banners with offensive content and those that could be perceived as inciting violence were removed.
Slovakia. Robert Fico criticized for meeting with Vladimir Putin
Organizers of the “Peace for Ukraine” initiative criticized the visit of Prime Minister Robert Fico to Moscow (December 22, 2024, Fico met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow – ed.), they declared their support for Ukraine and announced a trip to Kiev as a gesture of solidarity.
Earlier on Friday, during a meeting of the Slovak parliamentary committee for European affairs, Robert Fico reported on his December visit to Moscow. He stated, among other things, that received a promise from Vladimir Putin that Russia would fulfill its gas obligations to Bratislava. He also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he accused of lying and acting to the detriment of Slovakia.