Tens of thousands of Slovaks have taken to the streets in recent demonstrations, protesting against Prime Minister Robert Fico's increasing alignment with Russia, marked by a controversial meeting with President Vladimir Putin. On Friday alone, approximately 60,000 people gathered in Bratislava, with estimates of total attendees across the country reaching around 100,000, making these protests the largest since Fico's return to power in 2023, as reported by Al Jazeera.

In response to these massive protests, Fico firmly rejected calls for his resignation, stating, “The government can only be changed if there are elections” during an interview with local broadcasters. He has claimed that his government is being undermined by a coordinated attempt by opposition groups to incite unrest and potentially execute a coup, although he has not provided substantial evidence to support these allegations. This tension echoes sentiments from previous tumultuous periods, notably the protests triggered by the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak in 2018, which led to Fico's resignation at the time.

Participants of the rallies, organized by the civic group Mier Ukrajine—"Peace for Ukraine," voiced their desire for Slovakia to remain firmly integrated in the European Union and NATO. Protester Frantisek Valach articulated a common sentiment, emphasizing, “We do not want to be with Russia. We want to be in the European Union, we want to be NATO and we want to stay that way.” Meanwhile, Fico's administration has issued warnings that it is preparing a list of individuals to expel from the country, hinting at a crackdown on dissenters.

The prospect of a no-confidence vote against Fico looms, as opposition parties are seeking to initiate a debate in parliament about his government’s legitimacy. Critics argue that the current administration is moving Slovakia away from its established allied stance and weakening democratic norms. Observers note that a delicate balance is needed for Fico's coalition, which holds only a slim majority in parliament. As tensions mount, the civic group has scheduled further protests for February 7 to continue voicing their opposition to the government's policy shift. For further insights on the evolving situation in Slovakia, see coverage from The Guardian and Reuters.