On Friday, January 24, tens of thousands of Slovaks took to the streets in various cities across the country, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico. This was reported by Dennik N.
In particular, the "We Are Europe" rally organized by the "Democrats" party in Prešov gathered around 5,000 people. Participants held signs calling for an end to high taxes and opposing the government's pro-Russian orientation. Slogans included: "Enough Fico," "No to this government," and "Fico to Russia."
According to the organizers, about 60,000 people protested in Bratislava. In Trnava, more than 3,000 joined the demonstration, while around 10,000 gathered in Banská Bystrica. In Myjava, hundreds of demonstrators held placards, including one that read, "Kopanice is the heart of Europe, not an appendix of Russia."
Deputy head of the "Democrats" party Juraj Šeliga thanked the attendees for their courage and emphasized that people took to the streets to express their "no" to the current government.
Meanwhile, Robert Fico claimed that the opposition allegedly seeks unfair political competition. According to him, a group of "experts" operating in the country participated in events in Georgia and on the Ukrainian Maidan. Fico asserts that this group is financed by the United States.
The Prime Minister also announced his intention to halt the protests, which he claims are aimed at seizing government buildings, including the National Council and the presidential palace. In this regard, Fico convened the Security Council, explaining this as a "threat of a coup."
Reporters note that such a large gathering of people last occurred during the protests following the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak.