Bratislava (Slovakia), 18 Nov. (LaPresse/AP) – Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Slovakia to protest against populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, criticising his pro-Russian stance on the anniversary of the 1989 Velvet Revolution, which ended decades of communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia. The marches took place in dozens of cities. Fico has long been a controversial figure in Slovakia, and thousands of people have repeatedly demonstrated to protest his policies. Recently, his government cancelled Monday's national holiday commemorating the Velvet Revolution, calling it part of austerity measures. Fico has angered many in Slovakia by meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin several times and cancelling military support for Ukraine. He also recently told students in the city of Poprad that they should go and fight for Ukraine if they disagree with his pro-Russian views.
© Copyright LaPresse
