Thousands of people have protested in several Slovak cities against the politics of their prime minister Fico. The visits Kremlin chief Putin, does not deliver weapons to Ukraine- and flirts with the EU and NATO exit.
In Bratislava and numerous other cities in Slovakia, thousands of people have once again demonstrated against the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico and their Ukraine policy.
According to estimates by local media, around 10,000 people gathered in the capital alone. In speech choirs and on banners, they demanded Fico's resignation, which they accused of a pro-Russian course.
“Shame, shame,” chant a crowd on the freedom place in Bratislava. According to the organizers, demonstrations were held in more than 40 cities in Slovakia and abroad. The participants described Fico as traitors. “Slovakia is Europe,” she called.
Commitment to Ukraine aids
The citizens' initiative “Mier Ukrajine” (translated: “Peace of Ukraine”) called for rallies. It is committed to stronger military support from Ukraine and collects donations for ammunition purchases.
The initiative announced that 75,000 people had already donated to ammunition deliveries to Ukraine on the Internet and at the speaker grandstand of the protest meeting in Bratislava. The sum of five million euros was reached two days ago.
In one of the demonstration calls it said: “Proud patriots defend a European Slovakia! While the world is making new defense alliances, our government will withdraw and leave us with danger.”
Fico ended Arms deliveries
The organizers accuse the left -wing populist Fico to serve the interests of Russia with his refusal to deliver weapons to neighboring Ukraine and remove Slovakia of Europe.
After Fico won the parliamentary election in autumn 2023, he ended arms deliveries from his own army stands to Ukraine. However, weapon sales on a commercial basis continue. In addition, Slovakia delivers “non-fatal” goods such as mini clearing devices and generators to the neighboring country. Slovakia also jumps in with electricity deliveries when Russian bombing paralyzes Ukrainian care.
Fico is flirting with EU and NATO exit
The rallies are part of a series of protests that have been persistent for several weeks. Fico is criticized for his statements about the EU and NATO. He is repeatedly confronted with demands for withdrawal, also because he claims that the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was contrary to international law, has been launched due to safety concerns from Russia.
The protests are also fired by a recent journey of Fico to talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow – an extremely controversial process for a head of government from the EU. Most recently, Fico had also stated that his country could consider leaving the EU and NATO.
