36th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, Slovakians protest against populist Prime Minister Fico

On November 17 local time, Slovakia marked the 36th anniversary of the “Velvet Revolution”. Tens of thousands of people held rallies in cities including the capital Bratava to protest against the policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. In multiple places, a simultaneous “chalk revolution” was carried out, writing critical slogans such asFico is afraid of students”.

The protests focused on Fico’s controversial statements and policies: he called the Velvet Revolution a “controlled coup by the elite the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia”, which was strongly opposed by the public; his pro-Russian stance was obvious, he stopped aid to Ukraine and opposed Ukraine’sion to NATO after taking office, and in a recent speech he also ridiculed students who supported aid to Ukraine “should fight in person”. In addition, the public also prot against the government’s abolition of the office of special prosecutor against corruption and its attempt to control public broadcasting.

The protesters continued the Velvet Revolution tradition, expressing their in a peaceful way such as making a statement with keys, shouting slogans such as “Slovakia is Europe”.

Fico’s side said that different opinions should resolved through free discussion, and his party released a speech recording to refute the “distortion theory”.