Thousands of Slovak citizens have taken to the streets in a wave of nationwide protests, voicing strong opposition to the government's policies and the direction set by Prime Minister Robert Fico. The demonstrations, which have spanned across 16 cities including the capital Bratislava and Košice, reflect deep public dissatisfaction with both economic measures and the government's foreign policy stance.
The current wave of unrest was significantly fueled by Prime Minister Fico's recent visit to China, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the third time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This meeting, coupled with a government-approved austerity package, has intensified public anger. The austerity measures, which include increased health and social insurance, higher income tax for top earners, and a potential reduction in national holidays, are seen by critics and labor unions as disproportionately affecting ordinary citizens while failing to stimulate the economy. Businesses have also expressed concerns that the measures lack economic growth initiatives.
Economically, Slovakia is grappling with a significant budget deficit. The deficit stood at 5.3% of GDP in 2024, the second highest in the Eurozone, and the European Commission forecasts it to reach 4.9% in 2025. This fiscal situation has prompted the government to introduce austerity measures, which it claims are necessary to curb the deficit and adhere to EU fiscal rules, as the projected deficit for the current year is expected to exceed the 3% limit.
On the foreign policy front, Prime Minister Fico's government has adopted a stance that has drawn considerable criticism. Key policy shifts include the termination of military aid to Ukraine, opposition to EU sanctions against Russia, and a questioning of Ukraine's potential NATO membership. These actions have led to comparisons with Hungary's political trajectory under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, with critics suggesting Slovakia is following a similar path. Fico has articulated a view that the West has used Ukraine to weaken Russia and has suggested that the conflict could have been resolved earlier without Western interference. He has also expressed a desire for Slovakia to pursue an independent foreign policy, seeking to standardize relations with Moscow and explore deeper cooperation.
Leading the opposition to these policies is Michal Šimečka, the head of the Progressive Slovakia party. Šimečka, along with three other political groups, has been at the forefront of organizing protests, with participants chanting slogans such as "Slovaks are fed up with that" and "We've had enough of Fico." The protests have also seen international solidarity, with demonstrations occurring in neighboring countries like the Czech Republic and Poland. The movement aims to advocate for a pro-European and pro-Ukrainian foreign policy, contrasting sharply with the government's current orientation.
The scale of the demonstrations is significant, with tens of thousands of citizens participating across the country. For instance, on January 24, 2025, an estimated 110,000 people attended protests in 41 Slovak towns and 13 cities across Europe, with Bratislava alone seeing between 42,000 and 45,000 participants. These widespread rallies underscore a palpable sense of public discontent and a demand for a shift in the nation's political and economic course.