US EditionSlovaks protest populist leader Fico on anniversary of Velvet Revolution
Protesters oppose PM Fico’s moves to cut Ukraine aid and increase state control, with tens of thousands rallying against democratic backsliding, organizers said.
- On Monday, tens of thousands of people in Slovakia protested against Prime Minister Robert Fico in Freedom Square, Bratislava and dozens of towns, marking the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution.
- Opposition parties and civic groups organised the rallies to oppose perceived democratic backsliding and pro-Russian policies, citing scrapping a special anti-corruption office, state control over public media and NGOs, and cutting aid to Ukraine.
- Crowds in Bratislava displayed slogans and a banner quoting Václav Havel, late Czechoslovak and Czech president, saying, `Truth and love must prevail over lies and hatred`, while Jaroslav Nad said `Fico attacks independent institutions, culture, media... exactly like the communists did`.
- Fico maintains he is defending democratic values and sovereignty, arguing he is righting injustices by the previous government while warning the European Union could collapse, sparking criticism.
- Most recently, the government cancelled the Velvet Revolution holiday and Fico angered many by telling students in Poprad to fight for Ukraine; this year, Prague's Old Town Square saw protests against Andrej Babis and the ANO party.
32 Articles
32 Articles
36 years after the Velvet Revolution, which ended decades of communist rule, Czechs and Slovaks protested against their government, accusing them of betraying the legacy of the transition to democracy.
On the anniversary of the velvet revolution.
People in Slovakia want more direct democracy and more solidarity with Ukraine from their government. Now they are demonstrating massively against head of government Fico. The trigger was also a piece of chalk.
Czechs, Slovaks mark Velvet Revolution with protests in defense of democratic values
Thousands of Czechs and Slovaks on Monday celebrated the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, which ended decades of communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia, with protests that…
More than 50,000 people have taken to the streets against the Slovak government. Robert Fico will lose "like the communists," says the opposition leader.
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