Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Slovakia – up to 50,000 in Bratislava alone. Their protests were directed against Prime Minister Fico’s government, which they took seriously.
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in Slovakia against the left-wing nationalist government of Prime Minister Robert Fico. Some opposition parties and non-governmental organizations such as the “Mier Ukrajene” (Peace in Ukraine) initiative are calling for this. There were various events and demonstrations in various cities.
According to organisers, up to 50,000 people took part in the biggest rally at Freedom Square in Bratislava opposite the government headquarters, despite the rainy weather. For example, they called for more support for Ukraine. Fico has stopped all military aid to Slovakia.
Most importantly, the crowd shouted slogans like “We’ve had enough of Fico!” and raised banners demanding an end to the three-party government led by Fico. They accused the government of endangering democracy and criticized current austerity measures to combat the country’s high debt.
Protests on the anniversary of the “Velvet Revolution”
The protest occurred on the 36th anniversary of the 1989 “Velvet Revolution” against the communist regime. Liberal opposition leader Michal Simecka, whose party has outperformed Fico’s Smer party in several recent polls, drew parallels between then and now in his speech: Courage and a longing for freedom motivated the demonstrators in 1989 to carry out their ultimately successful protests.
“These are two values that communists did not understand and Robert Fico does not understand today. That is why he will lose just as communists lost,” the TASR news agency quoted the opposition politician as saying.
“Cretaceous Revolution” by a student
In previous days, local student protests attracted media attention. Before Fico’s planned visit to a high school, a student had written a scathing criticism in chalk on the floor in front of the entrance. A video shows how he was criticized by someone thought to be from the school, but defended by opposition politicians who were also present.
The move sparked calls for a “whitewash revolution” on the internet. Since then, there have been many images of anti-government slogans written in chalk.
