Thousands of people took to the streets across Slovakia in nationwide mass protests against Prime Minister Robert Fico’s economic and pro-Russian policies. Actions were held in 16 of the country’s largest cities, including the capital Bratislava. This was reported by the Associated Press agency.
The new wave of protests intensified after Fico’s visit to China, where he met with Vladimir Putin for the third time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Additional discontent was caused by a package of austerity measures recently approved by the government. The authorities explain that these steps are necessary to reduce the budget deficit, which last year reached 5.3% of GDP — the second largest indicator among the countries of the eurozone. This year, the deficit is forecast at the level of 5%, which exceeds the permissible EU limit of 3%.
The introduced measures include an increase in the cost of health and social insurance, an increase in income tax for wealthy citizens, an increase in VAT on certain goods, and a possible reduction in the number of national holidays. Trade unions and opponents of the government emphasize that the biggest burden will fall on ordinary citizens, while business criticizes the lack of incentives to develop the economy.
“Slovaks are fed up with this”, said Michal Šimechka, head of the Progressive Slovakia party, addressing protesters on Freedom Square in Bratislava.
His political force organized actions together with the parties “Freedom and Solidarity”, “Christian Democrats” and “Democrats”.
“We are different from each other, but I can guarantee that we will work together”, Shimechka stressed.
Some of the protest leaders put forward the idea of organizing a general strike against the government. The participants of the rallies shouted “ Enough of Fizo!”
