Thousands Rally Across Slovakia Against Fico's Austerity and Pro‑Russia Ties

Thousands of people took to the streets across Slovakia on Sept. 16, 2025, in a nationwide protest against the economic policies and pro-Russian orientation of Prime Minister Robert Fico's government.

Rallies were held in 16 major cities and towns, including the capital, Bratislava, where opposition leaders and civil society groups joined labor unions in denouncing a recently approved package of austerity measures and Fico's international engagements. Organizers said the protests were also a response to Fico's recent trip to China, during which he met Russian President Vladimir Putin and attended a military parade hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The austerity package approved by the government includes higher health and social insurance contributions, increased income taxes for higher earners, higher value-added tax on some food products and a possible reduction in national holidays. The government has said the measures are necessary to rein in a budget deficit that reached 5.3% of gross domestic product last year — the second-highest among eurozone countries — and is expected to exceed 5% again this year, well above the European Union ceiling of 3% of GDP.

Labor unions and critics argue the burden will fall hardest on ordinary people, while business groups say the package lacks measures to stimulate economic growth. At Freedom Square in Bratislava, Michal Šimečka, head of the Progressive Slovakia party, told the crowd, "The Slovaks are fed up with that." His party led the demonstrations in coordination with 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.

Protesters chanted, "We've had enough of Fico," while some opposition leaders suggested organizing a general strike. The demonstrations come after a renewed wave of protests the previous week that specifically condemned Fico's meetings with Putin and other authoritarian leaders in Beijing. Fico was the only European Union head of government to attend the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, an act that critics said signaled an alignment with Russia and China at odds with EU policy.

Fico, a polarizing figure in Slovak politics, returned to power for a fourth term after his Smer (Direction) party won the 2023 parliamentary election with a campaign that included pro-Russia and anti-American rhetoric. Since taking office, he has challenged aspects of the EU's approach to the war in Ukraine and has questioned Western policies, prompting comparisons from opponents to Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

The government has defended its economic course, saying the austerity measures are needed to stabilize public finances and maintain Slovakia's obligations within the eurozone. Officials caution that failure to reduce the deficit could have broader economic consequences.

Organizers and opposition figures said the protests were intended to maintain pressure on the government and to signal public discontent ahead of potential further actions. The immediate political fallout from Tuesday's nationwide demonstrations remained unclear, with both the government and opposition indicating they would pursue their respective strategies as public debate continues over Slovakia's fiscal path and foreign-policy orientation.