Protests in Slovakia after Prime Minister Fico tilts towards Russia
Al JazeeraJan 22
Slovakia's Fico Vows Not to Resign Amid Pro-EU Protests
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Above: Thousands of people gather at Freedom square as nationwide protests continue against the Robert Fico-lead government, in Bratislava, Slovakia on Jan. 24, 2025. Image copyright: Robert Nemeti/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said in an interview on public radio STVR on Saturday that he has no plans to resign despite widespread pressure, adding that the government will only change through elections.
Nevertheless, he admitted that a snap vote could be held if the ruling coalition loses its majority due to internal disputes, even though he claims that early elections are no "good political solution."
Fico's three-party coalition, which won a slim four-seat majority in parliament in the 2023 elections, is set to be tested this week in a no-confidence motion, as a handful of lawmakers either left or were expelled from junior member parties.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Though a Maidan-like unrest in Slovakia still looks unlikely, the opposition and its foreign partners want to force Robert Fico out of office purely because they cannot win elections. Western nations are actively interfering in Slovak internal affairs to punish a government that has refused to concede to them.
Pro-establishment narrative
Slovaks have taken to the streets in peaceful protest to call for the resignation of Robert Fico, as his coalition collapses against a backdrop of rising inflation and insecurity in the country. Geopolitical issues were just the final straw for a nation long fed up with a paranoid leader that failed to deliver calm and stability.
