Tens of thousands of Slovaks protest against Fico as they mark Velvet Revolution anniversary

Last night, tens of thousands of Slovaks protested against the country’s populist and pro-Russian prime minister Robert Fico, marking the 36th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution which had ended the communist rule in the country in 1989, but which his government has recently removed from the list of national holidays.

A demonstrator holds a picture depicting Prime Minister Robert Fico being scared of chalk during a protest against the government of Slovakia’s nationalist prime minister Robert Fico in Bratislava, Slovakia. Photograph: Joe Klamar/AFP/Getty Images

Despite torrential rain, protesters gathered across the country, including the capital, Bratislava, and the eastern city of Košice.

Fico remains a deeply divisive figure in Slovakia, which regular protests against his government and policies. Critics say he risks undermining the country’s pro-western course since 1989, jeopardising its relations with the EU and Nato, as he insisted on keeping close relations with Russia – visiting Vladimir Putin in Moscow three times since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – and opposed further EU sanctions on Russia or aid for Ukraine.

Crowd of around 20,000 people gather to voice their opposition to Slovakia’s current government, led by nationalist prime minister Robert Fico in Kosice, Slovakia. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Most recently, Fico angered many by telling students in the city of Poprad that they should go to fight for Ukraine if they don’t agree with his pro-Russian views, AP noted.

The next parliamentary election in the country should be held by 2027.