Thousands of Slovaks took to the streets on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, in a sweeping display of discontent over the government’s economic and foreign policy direction under Prime Minister Robert Fico. The rallies, which spanned 16 major cities and towns—including the capital, Bratislava—represented one of the largest mass protests in the country in recent years, with citizens voicing their anger at austerity measures and what many see as a troubling tilt toward Russia.
According to the Associated Press, the latest wave of demonstrations was ignited by Fico’s recent trip to China, during which he met Russian President Vladimir Putin for the third time since Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. That meeting, coupled with Fico’s attendance as the sole European Union head of state at a military parade hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, has stirred deep unease among many Slovaks who fear their country is drifting away from the European mainstream.
Yet it’s not just geopolitics fueling the unrest. A newly approved package of austerity measures, intended to rein in a ballooning budget deficit, has touched a nerve with labor unions, business leaders, and ordinary citizens alike. The government argues the measures are necessary: last year, Slovakia’s budget deficit hit 5.3% of GDP, the second highest among eurozone countries, and it’s expected to surpass 5% again this year—well above the European Union’s 3% limit.
The austerity package includes increases in health and social insurance contributions, higher income taxes for top earners, greater value added tax on some food products, and even the possible reduction of national holidays. While officials insist these steps are vital to restore fiscal discipline, critics say they place the heaviest burden on regular people struggling to make ends meet, and do little to stimulate the sluggish economy.
“The Slovaks are fed up with that,” declared Michal Šimečka, head of the Progressive Slovakia party, as he addressed a crowd gathered at Freedom Square in Bratislava. His words, reported by the Associated Press, seemed to capture the prevailing mood. Šimečka’s party helped organize the protests, joining forces with three other political groups—Freedom and Solidarity, the Christian Democrats, and the Democrats—in a rare display of opposition unity.
“We differ from each other but I can guarantee that we will work together,” Šimečka told demonstrators, signaling a willingness to set aside ideological differences in the face of what many see as a national crisis. The crowd responded with chants of, “We’ve had enough of Fico,” a slogan that echoed across cities and towns from Košice in the east to Žilina in the north.
Some protest leaders went even further, suggesting the possibility of a general strike if the government does not back down. Labor unions, in particular, have argued that the measures will hit working families the hardest, while business groups complain the government’s plan lacks any real stimulus to kickstart growth or create jobs.
The current wave of protests began last week, after Fico’s high-profile meeting with Putin and other authoritarian leaders in Beijing. Many Slovaks viewed Fico’s appearance at the Chinese military parade as an affront to the country’s European partners and a worrying sign of alignment with autocratic regimes. The fact that he was the only EU leader present at the event did not go unnoticed.
Fico’s critics have long accused him of steering Slovakia down a path similar to that of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is often described as an autocrat by Western observers. Like Orbán, Fico has openly challenged European Union policies on Ukraine and positioned himself as a champion of national sovereignty against what he portrays as foreign interference.
His return to power in 2023, after his leftist Smer (Direction) party won the parliamentary election, was fueled by a campaign heavy on pro-Russian and anti-American rhetoric. Since then, Fico has remained a deeply polarizing figure—admired by some for his populist style and willingness to confront Brussels, but distrusted by others who fear he’s undermining Slovakia’s democratic institutions and Western alliances.
“We’ve had enough of Fico,” became the rallying cry for many at Tuesday’s protests, according to the Associated Press. The demonstrations were notable not only for their size, but also for the breadth of participants. Political parties with little in common joined forces, united by a shared sense of urgency about the country’s direction. The opposition’s newfound cooperation has raised the possibility of more coordinated action in the coming weeks, including the general strike floated by some leaders.
Behind the slogans and speeches, however, lie real and pressing economic concerns. The government’s justification for the austerity package—Slovakia’s high deficit and the need to comply with eurozone rules—has done little to assuage public fears. Many Slovaks worry that rising taxes and reduced social benefits will make daily life even harder, especially for those already struggling with high inflation and stagnant wages.
Business leaders, for their part, argue the measures are short-sighted. They claim the government is focused on plugging budget holes rather than fostering innovation or making Slovakia more competitive. “There’s nothing here to boost the economy,” one business association representative told reporters, echoing complaints heard in boardrooms and small shops alike.
Meanwhile, labor unions warn that the austerity plan could lead to job losses and erode hard-won social protections. They point to the proposed reduction in national holidays as a particularly bitter pill—one that, in their view, symbolizes a government out of touch with ordinary people.
For Fico, the stakes are high. His political survival may depend on whether he can convince voters that his policies are necessary and fair, even as the opposition seeks to channel public anger into a broader movement for change. The coming weeks are likely to be decisive, as both sides brace for what could be a prolonged standoff.
As the dust settles from Tuesday’s demonstrations, one thing is clear: Slovakia is at a crossroads. The outcome of this struggle—between austerity and stimulus, East and West, populism and pluralism—will shape the country’s future for years to come.