Massive demonstrations erupted across Slovakia on Thursday in opposition to the government’s plans to eliminate the office responsible for investigating high-profile financial crimes, including those involving the prime minister.
Protesters in Bratislava, shouting “Enough of Fico” and brandishing signs that read “Hands Off Our Democracy,” filled the city’s main square. Similar protests occurred throughout the country and marked the largest demonstrations since weekly rallies began in early December against the government’s reforms, which include shuttering the Special Prosecution Office.
According to media outlet Dennik N, the rally in Bratislava drew an estimated 30,000 people.
“The situation is slowly changing and they are starting to listen to you more in parliament,” said Jozef Hajko, a lawmaker from the opposition KDH party, addressing the crowd. “They feel your power. Please, persevere with us and continue this way.”
Fico’s government insists that its proposed reforms – which would also curtail protections for whistleblowers and reduce penalties for financial offenses – are necessary to address what it sees as transgressions at the Special Prosecution Office during Fico’s time in opposition.
The government is aiming to expedite the reforms, shortening debate and potentially allowing a vote on the plan next week. This has prompted concerns from the European Union and United States.
Slovakia’s President, Zuzana Caputova, has cautioned that the reforms could jeopardize EU funds – a notion Fico disputes – and has criticized the efforts to accelerate the changes as unprecedented.
Fico won an election last September after stepping down in 2018 following massive street protests triggered by the murder of a journalist investigating public corruption.
The prosecutor’s office launched several cases against business leaders, members of the judiciary, and police following the 2020 election victory by parties pledging to combat corruption. While in opposition, Fico himself faced police charges that were later dropped.
His government has not clarified which authorities would handle financial crimes once the Special Prosecution Office is eliminated.
(Reporting by Radovan Stoklasa in Bratislava, Writing by Michael Kahn, Editing by Susan Fenton)
