Large crowds of people protested in cities across Slovakia, voicing concerns that Prime Minister Robert Fico is turning the EU member state toward Russia and calling for him to step down.
Tens of thousands turned out on Bratislava's Freedom Square for the second time in two weeks. Participants held up their mobile phone flashlights while chanting "Resign, resign," "Russian agent," and "Slovakia is Europe."
They demanded that any cooperation with Russia be stopped immediately, accusing the prime minister of collaborating with autocrats and attempting to turn Slovakia into an autocracy.
Demonstrations were held in 41 locations in Slovakia, up from 28 two weeks ago, and in 13 cities abroad, the Associated Press cited organizers as saying. News website Dennik estimated the crowd on Freedom Square at up to 45,000.
The street protests were the biggest since 2018, when the killings of an investigative reporter and his fiancee sparked political upheaval that culminated in the collapse of Fico's previous government.
Fico returned to power in 2023, starting his fourth stint as prime minister, and swiftly caused concern among critics that he is undermining democracy and shifting the country closer to Russia as it presses ahead with its war on Ukraine. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in December.
Fico, who survived an assassination attempt last May, has halted military aid to Ukraine, vocally opposed future membership of Ukraine in NATO, and spoken out against EU sanctions on Russia. Tension increased following his claims that opponents were planning to turn protests into attempts to overthrow the government.
