On September 16, 2025, the streets of Slovakia pulsed with the energy of dissent as thousands of citizens rallied in 16 cities—including the capital, Bratislava—against the economic and foreign policies of Prime Minister Robert Fico. The demonstrations, among the largest since Fico’s return to power in 2024, marked a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape, highlighting deep divisions over austerity measures and the prime minister’s increasingly pro-Russian stance.
The immediate spark for this wave of protests was a controversial austerity package pushed through by Fico’s government. According to France 24 and AP, the measures aim to rein in a ballooning budget deficit, which stood at 5.3% of GDP in 2024—the second highest in the Eurozone. The government expects the deficit to remain above 5% in 2025, well over the European Union’s ceiling of 3%.
The austerity plan introduces higher health and social insurance contributions, increased income taxes for high earners, value-added tax (VAT) hikes on selected food items, and even the possible reduction of national holidays. While officials argue these steps are necessary for economic stability, critics say they unfairly burden ordinary Slovaks while failing to address persistent corruption and inefficiencies.
Labor unions and business leaders have also raised their voices, warning that the measures will hit families hardest and do little to spur economic growth. As reported by UNN, trade unions argue that “ordinary people would be most affected, while businesses complained that the measures were not aimed at stimulating the economy.” The sentiment was echoed in the chants that filled public squares: “We’ve had enough of Fico.”
But economic grievances were only part of the story. The protests were further inflamed by Fico’s foreign policy choices, particularly his visit to China where he attended a military parade hosted by President Xi Jinping. There, Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the third time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—a fact that did not go unnoticed by demonstrators or the international community. Notably, Fico was the only European Union leader to attend the parade, a move that drew sharp criticism from pro-EU Slovaks and raised questions about Slovakia’s future orientation.
According to BBC and France 24, Fico’s overtures toward Moscow and Beijing have “drawn sharp condemnation from pro-EU Slovaks.” Many fear that Slovakia is veering down a path reminiscent of neighboring Hungary under Viktor Orbán, whose close ties to Russia have often placed Budapest at odds with EU policy, especially regarding sanctions and collective security.
Opposition parties seized on the moment to present a united front. Michal Šimečka, head of the Progressive Slovakia party, addressed a crowd in Bratislava’s Freedom Square, saying, “Slovaks are tired of this. Robert Fico is selling our future in Europe while forcing families to pay the price for his failed policies.” Šimečka’s words, reported by AP and France 24, resonated with many in attendance. He added, “We differ from each other but I can guarantee that we will work together.”
The protests were organized by a coalition of opposition parties and civic groups, including Freedom and Solidarity, the Christian Democrats, United Slovakia, and the Democratic Party. Their collaboration was notable in a political environment often marked by fragmentation. Some leaders even floated the idea of organizing a general strike, signaling that the movement could escalate if the government remains unmoved.
While the opposition’s unity was on display in the streets, the government doubled down on its policies. Fico defended the austerity measures and his diplomatic outreach to Russia and China, insisting they were necessary for “economic stability and national sovereignty.” His supporters argue that tough fiscal medicine is required to bring Slovakia’s finances in line with EU rules, and that engaging with global powers like China and Russia serves the nation’s interests in a turbulent world.
Yet, the growing unrest points to a widening chasm between Fico’s administration and a public increasingly unwilling to sacrifice prosperity or European values for closer ties with Moscow. The fear, voiced by many protesters and analysts alike, is that Slovakia could find itself isolated within the EU if the current course is maintained. According to France 24, “Analysts warn that if Fico continues on this path, Slovakia risks isolation within the EU.”
Fico’s political journey has been anything but ordinary. He returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer (Direction) party won the 2023 parliamentary elections on a platform that was unapologetically pro-Russian and anti-American. Since then, he has openly challenged the European Union’s policy toward Ukraine, often aligning himself with the Kremlin’s narrative. His critics charge that Slovakia, under his leadership, is “following the direction of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is regarded by many as an autocrat,” as France 24 reported.
The government’s approach has not only alarmed domestic opponents but also drawn attention from abroad. Fico’s repeated meetings with Putin and his singular presence at the Beijing parade have been interpreted as a signal of shifting allegiances. The symbolism of being the only EU head of state at an event hosted by Xi Jinping, commemorating the end of World War II, was not lost on observers. For many Slovaks, it was a step too far—a public embrace of regimes viewed with suspicion by much of the West.
As the protests raged, demonstrators made their demands clear: they called for Fico’s resignation and a return to policies that prioritize Slovakia’s place in Europe. Banners waved in the autumn air, and chants echoed through city centers. According to AP, the protests were “one of the largest shows of opposition since his return to power last year.”
What happens next is uncertain. The opposition’s ability to sustain momentum, the government’s willingness to compromise, and the broader geopolitical context will all play a role in shaping Slovakia’s future. For now, the events of September 16, 2025, have sent a powerful message: a sizable portion of the Slovak population is unwilling to accept austerity without accountability or a foreign policy that drifts away from the European mainstream.
Slovakia stands at a crossroads, its citizens determined to have a say in the direction their country takes—whether toward Brussels or Moscow, austerity or investment, division or unity. The coming months will reveal whether these protests mark a turning point or simply another chapter in the nation’s ongoing struggle over identity and allegiance.
