Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini has described the country’s political situation as “serious” following a security council meeting called in response to Prime Minister Robert Fico’s claims of an alleged plot to overthrow his government.
Fico’s accusations involve NGOs, opposition figures, and foreign actors conspiring to destabilize his administration.
In response Pellegrini said: “I have been in politics for a long time, and I am not used to panicking, simplifying, or exaggerating things, but based on the information which the Slovak Information Service (SIS) provided, it was unavoidable for the security council to meet.”
The president also confirmed the presence of foreign nationals reportedly helping to organize protests, though he added there was no reason to declare a state of emergency.
The claims come amid growing protests across Slovakia against Fico’s government, which critics accuse of aligning too closely with Russia.
Mass demonstrations under the slogan “Slovakia is Europe” began on January 24, with protests held in over 20 cities, including the capital, Bratislava.
In a show of solidarity with the protests, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support on social media, writing, “Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovakia is Europe.”
In response Pellegrini said: “I have been in politics for a long time, and I am not used to panicking, simplifying, or exaggerating things, but based on the information which the Slovak Information Service (SIS) provided, it was unavoidable for the security council to meet.”
The president also confirmed the presence of foreign nationals reportedly helping to organize protests, though he added there was no reason to declare a state of emergency.
The claims come amid growing protests across Slovakia against Fico’s government, which critics accuse of aligning too closely with Russia.
Mass demonstrations under the slogan “Slovakia is Europe” began on January 24, with protests held in over 20 cities, including the capital, Bratislava.
In a show of solidarity with the protests, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support on social media, writing, “Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovakia is Europe.”
Bratislava nie je Moskva.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 24, 2025
Slovensko je Európa. https://t.co/GwJJV05yq9
Fico’s accusations of foreign interference have been dismissed by opposition leaders as a political tactic designed to deflect attention from the government’s declining popularity.
“They did not announce any details, any measures because they don’t really have anything. They are merely trying to divert attention away from their failures,” said Michal Šimečka, chairman of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party, which leads Fico’s Smer party by 4.5% in recent polls.
Fico has also ramped up his criticism of civic groups, particularly Mier Ukrajine (Peace to Ukraine), which organizes rallies in support of Ukraine and provides aid to displaced Ukrainians.
Critics have likened his narrative to authoritarian tactics used in states that restrict foreign-funded NGOs under “foreign agent” laws.
Despite Fico’s claims, opposition figures and protesters remain defiant. “Let’s show decently that we are not going to let our civic rights be taken away and that we won’t let Fico take us out of Europe,” Šimečka said.
“They did not announce any details, any measures because they don’t really have anything. They are merely trying to divert attention away from their failures,” said Michal Šimečka, chairman of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party, which leads Fico’s Smer party by 4.5% in recent polls.
Fico has also ramped up his criticism of civic groups, particularly Mier Ukrajine (Peace to Ukraine), which organizes rallies in support of Ukraine and provides aid to displaced Ukrainians.
Critics have likened his narrative to authoritarian tactics used in states that restrict foreign-funded NGOs under “foreign agent” laws.
Despite Fico’s claims, opposition figures and protesters remain defiant. “Let’s show decently that we are not going to let our civic rights be taken away and that we won’t let Fico take us out of Europe,” Šimečka said.
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