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They latest wave of protests has been fueled by a trip by Fico
to China where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin for the
third time since the Russian all-out invasion of Ukraine. A
package of austerity measures recently approved by the
government further angered the protesters.
The government says the measures are necessary to cut a budget
deficit that at 5.3% of GDP was the second highest last year
among the countries using the common European currency, the
euro. The deficit is expected to surpass 5% this year, exceeding
the limit of 3% required by the European Union.
The measures include increases in health and social insurance,
income tax for higher earners, and value added tax on some food
products, as well as a possible reduction of national holidays.
Labor unions and other critics charged ordinary people will be
hit most while businesses complain the measures do not include
anything to boost the economy.
“The Slovaks are fed up with that,” Michal Šimečka, the head of
the Progressive Slovakia party told the crowd at the Freedom
Square in Bratislava.
His party led the protests in conjunction with three other
political groups, Freedom and Solidarity, the Christian
Democrats and the Democrats.
“We differ from each other but I can guarantee that we will work
together,” Šimečka said.
Some of the leaders suggested they organize a general strike
against the government.
“We’ve had enough of Fico,” people chanted.
The protests renewed last week to condemn Fico’s meeting Putin
along with other authoritarian leaders in Beijing. Fico was the
only head of a European Union country to attend a military
parade hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping to mark the 80th
anniversary of the end of World War II.
Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He
returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer, or
Direction, party won the 2023 parliamentary election after
campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-American message.
He has openly challenged the European Union’s policies over
Ukraine. His critics have charged that Slovakia under Fico is
following the direction of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor
Orbán, who is regarded by many as an autocrat.
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