BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Giant crowds once more took to the streets throughout Slovakia on Friday to voice their opposition to populist Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian insurance policies.
The wave of protests is fueled by Fico’s latest journey to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a uncommon go to to the Kremlin by a European Union chief since Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine started greater than three years in the past and his latest remarks that Slovakia may think about leaving the 27-nation EU and NATO.
“Disgrace, Disgrace,” folks on the Freedom Sq. in Bratislava chanted. The crowds rallied in over 40 cities and cities at dwelling and overseas, organizers mentioned. The protesters known as Fico “a traitor.” “Slovakia is Europe,” they repeated.
Fico, who survived an assassination try in Could 2024, has confronted calls to resign over his feedback about future EU and NATO membership and his declare that Russia had safety causes to invade Ukraine.
The gang condemned latest pro-Russian actions of Fico’s shut associates.
They embody remarks by Erik Kaliňák who mentioned that Slovakia “would lastly have a dependable neighbor,” if the Russian troops conquered Ukraine, Slovakia’s neighbor.
Kaliňák is the chief advisor of Fico’s authorities, a member of the European Parliament and Fico’s deputy within the leftist Smer (Route) occasion.
Ľuboš Blaha, a outstanding member of Fico’s occasion who is understood for his excessive leftist rhetoric, met this week Sergei Naryshkin, the top of Russia’s SVR spy company, on considered one of his journeys to Moscow, and mentioned that it’s a proven fact that “the West is shedding and Russia is profitable.”
Fico’s views on Russia have sharply differed from the European mainstream. He returned to energy final his occasion received a parliamentary election in 2023.
He has since ended Slovakia’s army help for Ukraine, criticized EU sanctions on Russia and vowed to dam Ukraine from becoming a member of NATO. He declared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as an enemy after Ukraine halted on Russian fuel provides to Slovakia and another European prospects.
