The protesters were convened in Bratislava’s Slovak capital on Friday and opposed the recent visit to Russia by Prime Minister Robert Fiko.
FICO was the only leader of the European Union to attend a celebration in Moscow to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“We have enough FICO,” “Slovakia is Europe,” “Stay there,” chanted by people gathered in Freedom Square.
Organizers said FICO does not represent Slovakia as a whole.
The Kremlin utilizes the annual “Victory Day” festival to showcase its military capabilities.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Russian troops for fighting in Ukraine, saying, “We are proud of their courage and determination, their spiritual strength that has always brought us our victory.”
In a video message, FICO said his purpose was to create “normal, friendly cooperation” and ties with Russia.
Rallying in Bratislava and several other towns and cities in Slovakia were the latest in a wave of protests promoted by FICO’s recent trip to Moscow, due to a meeting with Putin’s gas delivery in December.
A domestic and international controversial figure, FICO regained power in 2023, winning a congressional election in which his clever left-wing party promoted pro-Lucian and anti-American sentiment.
Famous for his pro-Russian perspective, he publicly opposed the European Union’s policies regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.
His administration has come across important protests against its Prokremlin stance and an increasingly euroskeptical approach. FICO routinely reflects anti-EU rhetoric, threatening it multiple times to withdraw Slovakia from NATO.
Additional sources •AP
