Slovakia

Orban and Fico lambast EU at 130th anniversary of Maria Valeria bridge<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//10//20//eu-pushes-slovakias-fico-to-make-him-lift-veto-on-russia-sanctions/">EU pushes Slovak PM Fico to lift veto on new Russia sanctions package<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Fico has clashed several times with the EU, holding off on sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, LGBTQ+ rights, climate regulation, and China. <\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, Fico was criticised by the European Commission for attending Russia's Victory Day parade in Moscow, where he thanked the Red Army for liberating Slovakia from Nazi rule during World War II. <\/p>\n<p>The EU High Representative Kaja Kallas strongly opposed member states from travelling to Moscow. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1761143442,"updatedAt":1761314272,"publishedAt":1761310698,"firstPublishedAt":1761310698,"lastPublishedAt":1761314271,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/27\/40\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_03a056c1-565c-5733-9d74-9336316e5feb-9522740.jpg","altText":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, and his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico talk to each other in Esztergom, Hungary ","caption":"Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, left, and his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico talk to each other in Esztergom, Hungary ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":526,"urlSafeValue":"zsiros","title":"Sandor Zsiros","twitter":"@EuroSandor"},{"id":2428,"urlSafeValue":"genovese","title":"Vincenzo Genovese","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":10409,"slug":"viktor-orban","urlSafeValue":"viktor-orban","title":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n","titleRaw":"Viktor Orb\u00e1n"},{"id":29994,"slug":"patriots-for-europe-pfe","urlSafeValue":"patriots-for-europe-pfe","title":"Patriots for Europe (PfE)","titleRaw":"Patriots for Europe (PfE)"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2834670},{"id":2841297}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/10\/24\/slovakias-robert-fico-is-in-talks-with-viktor-orban-about-his-party-joining-patriots","lastModified":1761314271},{"id":2840257,"cid":9520786,"versionId":7,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"FICO MURDER ATTEMPT SENTENCE SLOVAKIA","daletPyramidId":3062192,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Would-be assassin given 21-year sentence for shooting Slovak PM Robert Fico","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Would-be assassin given 21 years in prison for shooting Slovak PM Fico","titleListing2":"Man given 21-year sentence for shooting Slovakian PM Robert Fico","leadin":"Juraj Cintula, 72, was found guilty of terrorism by a court on Tuesday over the attack he carried out on 15 May 2024.","summary":"Juraj Cintula, 72, was found guilty of terrorism by a court on Tuesday over the attack he carried out on 15 May 2024.","keySentence":"","url":"would-be-assassin-given-21-year-sentence-for-shooting-slovak-pm-robert-fico","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/10\/21\/would-be-assassin-given-21-year-sentence-for-shooting-slovak-pm-robert-fico","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A court in Slovakia sentenced on Tuesday the man who shot and injured Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024 to 21 years in prison on terrorism charges.\n\nJuraj Cintula, 72, targeted the populist Slovak leader on 15 May last year after a government meeting in Handlov\u00e1, located around 140 kilometres northeast of the capital of Bratislava.\n\nAfter being shot in the abdomen, Fico was rushed to the hospital in the nearby city of Bansk\u00e1 Bystrica, where he underwent a two-hour-long operation, before subsequently recovering.\n\nOn Tuesday, the Specialised Criminal Court in Bansk\u00e1 Bystrica delivered its verdict against Cintula, following a trial that began in July.\n\nCintula refused to testify during the trial, but he had previously said that he carried out the attack because he disagreed with Fico\u2019s policies, which have aligned the country more closely with Russia.\n\nThe 72-year-old has also said he did not want to kill anyone, but sought \u201cto harm the health of the prime minister\u201d.\n\nCintula added that he was relieved when he found out that Fico had survived his gunshot wounds.\n\n\u201cThe defendant did not attack a citizen, but specifically the prime minister,\u201d said Igor Kr\u00e1lik, the head of the three-judge panel, as he read the verdict on Tuesday.\n\n\u201cHe was against the government, he was inciting people to overthrow the government,\u201d Kr\u00e1lik suggested.\n\nProsecutors initially charged the defendant with attempted murder, but this was later dropped to pursue the more serious accusation of carrying out a terror attack. They said the case was based on evidence they obtained, but did not give further details.\n\nCintula can appeal the verdict at Slovakia\u2019s supreme court, but it is not clear whether he will do so.\n\nFico, who has said he has forgiven his attacker, has blamed the liberal opposition and media for the shooting, but has failed to provide any evidence supporting his claims.\n\nThe Slovak politician was the only EU leader to travel to Moscow in May for an event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>A court in Slovakia sentenced on Tuesday the man who shot and injured Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024 to 21 years in prison on terrorism charges. <\/p>\n<p>Juraj Cintula, 72, targeted the populist Slovak leader on 15 May last year after a government meeting in Handlov\u00e1, located around 140 kilometres northeast of the capital of Bratislava.<\/p>\n<p>After being shot in the abdomen, Fico was rushed to the hospital in the nearby city of Bansk\u00e1 Bystrica, where he underwent a two-hour-long operation, before subsequently recovering. <\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, the Specialised Criminal Court in Bansk\u00e1 Bystrica delivered its verdict against Cintula, following a trial that began in July. <\/p>\n<p>Cintula refused to testify during the trial, but he had previously said that he carried out the attack because he disagreed with Fico\u2019s policies, which have aligned the country more closely with Russia. <\/p>\n<p>The 72-year-old has also said he did not want to kill anyone, but sought \u201cto harm the health of the prime minister\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>Cintula added that he was relieved when he found out that Fico had survived his gunshot wounds. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe defendant did not attack a citizen, but specifically the prime minister,\u201d said Igor Kr\u00e1lik, the head of the three-judge panel, as he read the verdict on Tuesday. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe was against the government, he was inciting people to overthrow the government,\u201d Kr\u00e1lik suggested. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//10//17//european-parliaments-centre-left-group-expels-slovakia-pms-party-for-values-breach/">European Socialists expel Slovakian PM's party for values breach<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//10//15//robert-fico-vetoes-again-eu-sanctions-against-russia-asks-for-new-concessions/">Slovakia's Fico vetoes EU sanctions against Russia again and asks for new concessions<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Prosecutors initially charged the defendant with attempted murder, but this was later dropped to pursue the more serious accusation of carrying out a terror attack. They said the case was based on evidence they obtained, but did not give further details. <\/p>\n<p>Cintula can appeal the verdict at Slovakia\u2019s supreme court, but it is not clear whether he will do so. <\/p>\n<p>Fico, who has said he has forgiven his attacker, has blamed the liberal opposition and media for the shooting, but has failed to provide any evidence supporting his claims. <\/p>\n<p>The Slovak politician was the only EU leader to travel to Moscow in May for an event marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1761039332,"updatedAt":1761051920,"publishedAt":1761044564,"firstPublishedAt":1761044564,"lastPublishedAt":1761050305,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/52\/07\/86\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_040ff13b-667f-505b-8783-2029d2628dc4-9520786.jpg","altText":"Juraj Cintula is convoyed at the Specialized Criminal Court in Banska Bystrica, 21 October 2025","caption":"Juraj Cintula is convoyed at the Specialized Criminal Court in Banska Bystrica, 21 October 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3272,"urlSafeValue":"sullivan","title":"Rory Sullivan","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":13878,"slug":"shooting","urlSafeValue":"shooting","title":"shooting","titleRaw":"shooting"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2834340},{"id":2829816},{"id":2816203}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"BN-qlno6wHg","dailymotionId":"x9sg584"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/27\/37\/04\/01\/ED_PYR_2737041_20251021130520.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":12324197,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/27\/37\/04\/01\/SHD_PYR_2737041_20251021130520.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":17144159,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/27\/37\/04\/01\/FHD_PYR_2737041_20251021130520.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":49363162,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/10\/21\/would-be-assassin-given-21-year-sentence-for-shooting-slovak-pm-robert-fico","lastModified":1761050305},{"id":2834340,"cid":9485583,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA AMENDMENT TWO SEXES","daletPyramidId":2827413,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":3},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovakia's parliament changes constitution to recognise only two sexes and restrict adoption","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovakia changes constitution to recognise only two sexes","titleListing2":"Slovakia passes constitutional amendment to recognise only two sexes, sparking human rights concerns","leadin":"The new amendment also makes it almost impossible for anyone other than married couples to adopt children.","summary":"The new amendment also makes it almost impossible for anyone other than married couples to adopt children.","keySentence":"","url":"slovakias-parliament-changes-constitution-to-recognise-only-two-sexes-sparking-anger","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/09\/26\/slovakias-parliament-changes-constitution-to-recognise-only-two-sexes-sparking-anger","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Slovakia's parliament passed an amendment to the constitution on Friday that recognises only two sexes, along with other measures that critics say might breach the country\u2019s international obligations and undermine the protection of human rights.\n\nThe amendment, which was drafted by Prime Minister\u00a0Robert Fico's government, required a three-fifths majority.\n\nIt passed with 90 votes in the 150-seat National Council, with 12 lawmakers from the conservative opposition helping the ruling coalition win the vote.\n\nThe amended constitution now recognises only two sexes, male and female, and states that Slovakia retains sovereignty in matters of \"national identity,\" which is not specifically defined, especially in \"fundamental cultural-ethical questions.\"\n\nThe amendment also makes it almost impossible for anyone other than married couples to adopt children.\n\nThe constitution had already defined marriage as \"a unique union between a man and a woman.\"\n\nParental consent is now needed for access to sexual education and equal pay for men and women is guaranteed.\n\nJustice Minister Boris Susko told parliament that the amendment should boost traditional values.\n\nInternational condemnation\n\nAmnesty International condemned the move.\n\n\"Today, the Slovak government chose to\u00a0follow the lead of countries, such as Hungary, whose policies have led to an erosion of human rights,\" it said in a statement.\n\nCouncil of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O\u2019Flaherty previously urged lawmakers not to give a green light to the changes.\n\nHe said they deny \"the realities of trans and intersex people and may impact on human rights guarantees such as access to legal gender recognition.\"\n\n\"Seeking to disapply specific rights because they touch upon 'national identity' would be fundamentally incompatible with the Slovak Republic's international obligations,\" he added.\n\nFico has long been a divisive figure, both at home and across Europe.\n\nHis critics claim that under his rule Slovakia has abandoned its pro-Western course and is tilted more towards Moscow, in a similar vein to Hungary under\u00a0Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n.\n\nThousands of people have repeatedly rallied across Slovakia to protest Fico's perceived pro-Russian stance and other policies.\n\nFico has refused to fall in with the rest of the EU in slapping sanctions on Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has said Ukraine will not be invited to join NATO.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Slovakia's parliament passed an amendment to the constitution on Friday that recognises only two sexes, along with other measures that critics say might breach the country\u2019s international obligations and undermine the protection of human rights.<\/p>\n<p>The amendment, which was drafted by Prime Minister\u00a0Robert Fico's government, required a three-fifths majority.<\/p>\n<p>It passed with 90 votes in the 150-seat National Council, with 12 lawmakers from the conservative opposition helping the ruling coalition win the vote.<\/p>\n<p>The amended constitution now recognises only two sexes, male and female, and states that Slovakia retains sovereignty in matters of \"national identity,\" which is not specifically defined, especially in \"fundamental cultural-ethical questions.\"<\/p>\n<p>The amendment also makes it almost impossible for anyone other than married couples to adopt children.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//48//55//83//808x539_cmsv2_bee50d45-1bc0-5ab5-a98a-83e0c9c3e6e6-9485583.jpg/" alt=\"A family takes a photo of a relative standing in a frame of Slovakia with a traditionally dressed woman in Brussels, 4 May, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/384x256_cmsv2_bee50d45-1bc0-5ab5-a98a-83e0c9c3e6e6-9485583.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/640x427_cmsv2_bee50d45-1bc0-5ab5-a98a-83e0c9c3e6e6-9485583.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/750x500_cmsv2_bee50d45-1bc0-5ab5-a98a-83e0c9c3e6e6-9485583.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/828x552_cmsv2_bee50d45-1bc0-5ab5-a98a-83e0c9c3e6e6-9485583.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/1080x720_cmsv2_bee50d45-1bc0-5ab5-a98a-83e0c9c3e6e6-9485583.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/1200x800_cmsv2_bee50d45-1bc0-5ab5-a98a-83e0c9c3e6e6-9485583.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/1920x1280_cmsv2_bee50d45-1bc0-5ab5-a98a-83e0c9c3e6e6-9485583.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">A family takes a photo of a relative standing in a frame of Slovakia with a traditionally dressed woman in Brussels, 4 May, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The constitution had already defined marriage as \"a unique union between a man and a woman.\"<\/p>\n<p>Parental consent is now needed for access to sexual education and equal pay for men and women is guaranteed.<\/p>\n<p>Justice Minister Boris Susko told parliament that the amendment should boost traditional values.<\/p>\n<h2>International condemnation<\/h2>\n<p>Amnesty International condemned the move.<\/p>\n<p>\"Today, the Slovak government chose to\u00a0follow the lead of countries, such as Hungary, whose policies have led to an erosion of human rights,\" it said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O\u2019Flaherty previously urged lawmakers not to give a green light to the changes.<\/p>\n<p>He said they deny \"the realities of trans and intersex people and may impact on human rights guarantees such as access to legal gender recognition.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"Seeking to disapply specific rights because they touch upon 'national identity' would be fundamentally incompatible with the Slovak Republic's international obligations,\" he added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//48//55//83//808x539_cmsv2_e4c88b24-46f0-5dbe-84da-f8236095b824-9485583.jpg/" alt=\"Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico speaks during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Uzhhorod, 5 September, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/384x256_cmsv2_e4c88b24-46f0-5dbe-84da-f8236095b824-9485583.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/640x427_cmsv2_e4c88b24-46f0-5dbe-84da-f8236095b824-9485583.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/750x500_cmsv2_e4c88b24-46f0-5dbe-84da-f8236095b824-9485583.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/828x552_cmsv2_e4c88b24-46f0-5dbe-84da-f8236095b824-9485583.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/1080x720_cmsv2_e4c88b24-46f0-5dbe-84da-f8236095b824-9485583.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/1200x800_cmsv2_e4c88b24-46f0-5dbe-84da-f8236095b824-9485583.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/1920x1280_cmsv2_e4c88b24-46f0-5dbe-84da-f8236095b824-9485583.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico speaks during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Uzhhorod, 5 September, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Fico has long been a divisive figure, both at home and across Europe.<\/p>\n<p>His critics claim that under his rule Slovakia has abandoned its pro-Western course and is tilted more towards Moscow, in a similar vein to Hungary under\u00a0Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n.<\/p>\n<p>Thousands of people have repeatedly rallied across Slovakia to protest Fico's perceived pro-Russian stance and other policies.<\/p>\n<p>Fico has refused to fall in with the rest of the EU in slapping sanctions on Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine and has said <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//12//18//slovakias-fico-ukraine-will-not-be-invited-to-join-nato/">Ukraine will not be invited to join NATO<\/a>.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1758905836,"updatedAt":1758911009,"publishedAt":1758909157,"firstPublishedAt":1758909157,"lastPublishedAt":1758911009,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4d0c73f1-49ea-5606-9a45-afb12ef1eda8-9485583.jpg","altText":"Slovakia\u2019s parliament in session in Bratislava, 8 April, 2025","caption":"Slovakia\u2019s parliament in session in Bratislava, 8 April, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1916,"height":1078},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_bee50d45-1bc0-5ab5-a98a-83e0c9c3e6e6-9485583.jpg","altText":"A family takes a photo of a relative standing in a frame of Slovakia with a traditionally dressed woman in Brussels, 4 May, 2024","caption":"A family takes a photo of a relative standing in a frame of Slovakia with a traditionally dressed woman in Brussels, 4 May, 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/48\/55\/83\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e4c88b24-46f0-5dbe-84da-f8236095b824-9485583.jpg","altText":"Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico speaks during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Uzhhorod, 5 September, 2025","caption":"Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico speaks during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Uzhhorod, 5 September, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2816203},{"id":2814880},{"id":2840257}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":{"id":1750,"urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/09\/26\/slovakias-parliament-changes-constitution-to-recognise-only-two-sexes-sparking-anger","lastModified":1758911009},{"id":2815641,"cid":9369179,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA-EU RUSSIAN GAS STOP","daletPyramidId":2108694,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovakia aims to reach deal with EU on ending Russian gas supplies by Tuesday, Fico says","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovakia aims for EU deal on ending Russian gas imports by Tuesday","titleListing2":"Slovakia aims to reach deal with EU on ending Russian gas supplies by Tuesday, Fico says","leadin":"Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Bratislava he wants to resolve the issue involving the proposed phase-out of all Russian fossil fuels by Tuesday, adding that he spoke to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the matter.","summary":"Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Bratislava he wants to resolve the issue involving the proposed phase-out of all Russian fossil fuels by Tuesday, adding that he spoke to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the matter.","keySentence":"","url":"slovakia-aims-to-reach-deal-with-eu-on-ending-russian-gas-supplies-by-tuesday-fico-says","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/07\/12\/slovakia-aims-to-reach-deal-with-eu-on-ending-russian-gas-supplies-by-tuesday-fico-says","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Slovakia is seeking to reach a deal with European partners involving Russian gas supplies by Tuesday in order to approve a new package of EU sanctions on Russia, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Saturday.\n\nHe told journalists in Bratislava he wants \"to resolve this by Tuesday because tensions are rising on all sides.\" \n\nSo far, Slovakia has maintained its veto on the 18th sanctions package to be implemented in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.\n\nBratislava has blocked the package over concerns over a proposed phase-out of all Russian fossil fuels by 2028, fearing it could damage the country's economic interests.\n\nSlovakia gets most of its gas from Russia and holds a long-term contract with Russia's Gazprom that runs through 2034. Fico wants legal guarantees should Gazprom claim a potential breach of contract.\n\n\"We need to win something in this fight, though it will not be a 100-0 result,\" Fico added on Saturday, according to Reuters.\n\nHe noted that he had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the issue, emphasising that a Slovakia would lift its veto if a deal is reached on the gas ban.\n\nThe latest sanctions package, unveiled on Tuesday by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative Kaja Kallas, blacklists an additional 22 Russian banks and extends the ban on transactions to entities based outside the country that contribute to the circumvention of sanctions. The Russian Direct Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund with an estimated capital of $10 billion (\u20ac8.75 billion), is targeted.\n\nIt also features a ban on the direct or indirect use of the Nord Stream pipelines that connect Russia and Germany. The underwater pipelines are today non-operational, and Berlin has ruled out the prospect of restarting gas transit after the war ends.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Slovakia is seeking to reach a deal with European partners involving Russian gas supplies by Tuesday in order to approve a new package of EU sanctions on Russia, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>He told journalists in Bratislava he wants \"to resolve this by Tuesday because tensions are rising on all sides.\" <\/p>\n<p>So far, Slovakia has maintained its veto on the 18th sanctions package to be implemented in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Bratislava has blocked the package over concerns over a proposed phase-out of all Russian fossil fuels by 2028, fearing it could damage the country's economic interests.<\/p>\n<p>Slovakia gets most of its gas from Russia and holds a long-term contract with Russia's Gazprom that runs through 2034. Fico wants legal guarantees should Gazprom claim a potential breach of contract.<\/p>\n<p>\"We need to win something in this fight, though it will not be a 100-0 result,\" Fico added on Saturday, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n<p>He noted that he had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the issue, emphasising that a Slovakia would lift its veto if a deal is reached on the gas ban.<\/p>\n<p>The latest sanctions package, unveiled on Tuesday by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative Kaja Kallas, blacklists an additional 22 Russian banks and extends the ban on transactions to entities based outside the country that contribute to the circumvention of sanctions. The Russian Direct Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund with an estimated capital of $10 billion (\u20ac8.75 billion), is targeted.<\/p>\n<p>It also features a ban on the direct or indirect use of the Nord Stream pipelines that connect Russia and Germany. The underwater pipelines are today non-operational, and Berlin has ruled out the prospect of restarting gas transit after the war ends.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1752320550,"updatedAt":1752335981,"publishedAt":1752335948,"firstPublishedAt":1752335948,"lastPublishedAt":1752335948,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/91\/79\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c3208274-9c9d-5762-abd7-0b5348b18b66-9369179.jpg","altText":"Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrive for a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, March 20, 2025.","caption":"Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas arrive for a round table meeting at an EU summit in Brussels, March 20, 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Omar Havana","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":26754,"slug":"sanctions-against-russia","urlSafeValue":"sanctions-against-russia","title":"sanctions against Russia","titleRaw":"sanctions against Russia"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2798968},{"id":2851601}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"ZuZfMtUFGvY","dailymotionId":"x9msiyk"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/19\/80\/67\/02\/ED_PYR_1980672_20250712154610.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11385877,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/19\/80\/67\/02\/SHD_PYR_1980672_20250712154610.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":15945240,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/19\/80\/67\/02\/FHD_PYR_1980672_20250712154610.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":48115247,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":{"id":1750,"urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/07\/12\/slovakia-aims-to-reach-deal-with-eu-on-ending-russian-gas-supplies-by-tuesday-fico-says","lastModified":1752335948},{"id":2814563,"cid":9361916,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SUSPECT IN FICO SHOOTING STANDS TRIAL","daletPyramidId":2067399,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico stands trial on terror charges","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's Fico stands trial on terror charges","titleListing2":"Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's Fico stands trial on terror charges","leadin":"Juraj Cintula, 72, could face life behind bars if he is convicted over the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico last year.","summary":"Juraj Cintula, 72, could face life behind bars if he is convicted over the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico last year.","keySentence":"","url":"suspect-in-shooting-of-slovakias-prime-minister-fico-stands-trial-on-terror-charges","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/07\/08\/suspect-in-shooting-of-slovakias-prime-minister-fico-stands-trial-on-terror-charges","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"The man who shot and seriously injured Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico last year went on trial on Tuesday on a terrorism charge that could see him imprisoned for life. \n\nJuraj Cintula, 72, shouted \"long live democracy, long live freedom\" as he arrived at the Specialised Criminal Court in Slovakia's central city of Bansk\u00e1 Bystrica.\n\nCintula is accused of shooting Fico on 15 May 2024, as the prime minister greeted supporters following a government meeting in the town of Handlov\u00e1, located 140 kilometres northeast of the capital.\n\nFico was shot four times, including in the abdomen. He was taken to hospital, where he underwent a five-hour surgery, followed by another two-hour surgery two days later.\n\nIn testimony read by a prosecutor at the trial, Cintula said he disagreed with the state's policies, including the cancellation of a special prosecution office dealing with corruption, the end of military support for Ukraine and the government\u2019s approach to culture. \n\n\"I decided to harm the health of the prime minister but I had no intention to kill anyone,\" Cintula had said, according to the testimony shared by the prosecutor.\n\nThe defendant refused to testify at the court on Tuesday but confirmed that what he told investigators about his motive was true.\n\nCintula was initially charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors later dropped that charge and said they were instead pursuing the more serious charge of engaging in a terror attack, based on evidence the investigators obtained. \n\nAt the trial, Cintula's lawyer said the defence rejected the terrorism charge. \n\nThe court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday, with further dates possible later this year before a verdict is reached.\n\nSlovak officials initially said that they believed the shooting was a politically motivated attack committed by a \"lone wolf\". However, they announced later that a third party might have been involved in \"acting for the benefit of the perpetrator\".\n\nFico previously said he \"had no reason to believe\" that it was an attack by a lone shooter and repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt.\n\nThe prime minister has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer party won the 2023 parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-Western platform.\n\nFico's critics say that he has abandoned Slovakia's pro-Western course and is following the same Moscow-friendly direction as Hungary under its Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n.\n\nThousands of people have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's pro-Russian stance and other policies.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>The man who shot and seriously injured Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico last year went on trial on Tuesday on a terrorism charge that could see him imprisoned for life. <\/p>\n<p>Juraj Cintula, 72, shouted \"long live democracy, long live freedom\" as he arrived at the Specialised Criminal Court in Slovakia's central city of Bansk\u00e1 Bystrica.<\/p>\n<p>Cintula is accused of shooting Fico on 15 May 2024, as the prime minister greeted supporters following a government meeting in the town of Handlov\u00e1, located 140 kilometres northeast of the capital.<\/p>\n<p>Fico was shot four times, including in the abdomen. He was taken to hospital, where he underwent a five-hour surgery, followed by another two-hour surgery two days later.<\/p>\n<p>In testimony read by a prosecutor at the trial, Cintula said he disagreed with the state's policies, including the cancellation of a special prosecution office dealing with corruption, the end of military support for Ukraine and the government\u2019s approach to culture. <\/p>\n<p>\"I decided to harm the health of the prime minister but I had no intention to kill anyone,\" Cintula had said, according to the testimony shared by the prosecutor.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//36//19//16//808x454_cmsv2_c7fc764a-5015-5961-bb8d-a15ace93f1ce-9361916.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort &amp; Convention Center, Feb. 21, 2025,\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/19\/16\/384x216_cmsv2_c7fc764a-5015-5961-bb8d-a15ace93f1ce-9361916.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/19\/16\/640x360_cmsv2_c7fc764a-5015-5961-bb8d-a15ace93f1ce-9361916.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/19\/16\/750x422_cmsv2_c7fc764a-5015-5961-bb8d-a15ace93f1ce-9361916.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/19\/16\/828x466_cmsv2_c7fc764a-5015-5961-bb8d-a15ace93f1ce-9361916.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/19\/16\/1080x608_cmsv2_c7fc764a-5015-5961-bb8d-a15ace93f1ce-9361916.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/19\/16\/1200x675_cmsv2_c7fc764a-5015-5961-bb8d-a15ace93f1ce-9361916.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/19\/16\/1920x1080_cmsv2_c7fc764a-5015-5961-bb8d-a15ace93f1ce-9361916.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort &amp; Convention Center, Feb. 21, 2025,<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Jose Luis Magana\/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The defendant refused to testify at the court on Tuesday but confirmed that what he told investigators about his motive was true.<\/p>\n<p>Cintula was initially charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors later dropped that charge and said they were instead pursuing the more serious charge of engaging in a terror attack, based on evidence the investigators obtained. <\/p>\n<p>At the trial, Cintula's lawyer said the defence rejected the terrorism charge. <\/p>\n<p>The court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday, with further dates possible later this year before a verdict is reached.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9346457,9206480\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//06//27//why-did-robert-fico-veto-the-new-eu-sanctions-on-russia-money-is-key/">Why did Robert Fico veto the new EU sanctions on Russia? Money is key<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//04//16//slovakias-fico-insists-on-attending-moscows-victory-day-parade-despite-eu-warnings/">Slovakia's Fico insists on attending Moscow's 'Victory Day' parade despite EU warnings<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Slovak officials initially said that they believed the shooting was a politically motivated attack committed by a \"lone wolf\". However, they announced later that a third party might have been involved in \"acting for the benefit of the perpetrator\".<\/p>\n<p>Fico previously said he \"had no reason to believe\" that it was an attack by a lone shooter and repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt.<\/p>\n<p>The prime minister has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer party won the 2023 parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-Western platform.<\/p>\n<p>Fico's critics say that he has abandoned Slovakia's pro-Western course and is following the same Moscow-friendly direction as Hungary under its Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n.<\/p>\n<p>Thousands of people have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's pro-Russian stance and other policies.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1751971195,"updatedAt":1751974320,"publishedAt":1751974292,"firstPublishedAt":1751974292,"lastPublishedAt":1751974292,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/19\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_7752a06f-6661-5dca-b3d7-a379c0dd7ee4-9361916.jpg","altText":"Juraj Cintula, center, is escorted to the Specialized Criminal Court in Bansk\u00e1 Bystrica, Slovakia Tuesday, July 8, 2025","caption":"Juraj Cintula, center, is escorted to the Specialized Criminal Court in Bansk\u00e1 Bystrica, Slovakia Tuesday, July 8, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vaclav Salek\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":576},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/36\/19\/16\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c7fc764a-5015-5961-bb8d-a15ace93f1ce-9361916.jpg","altText":"FILE: Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Feb. 21, 2025,","caption":"FILE: Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Feb. 21, 2025,","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Jose Luis Magana\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":576}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3238,"urlSafeValue":"guilbert","title":"Kieran Guilbert","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":29370,"slug":"crimen","urlSafeValue":"crimen","title":"Crime","titleRaw":"Crime"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2810807},{"id":2809212},{"id":2798968}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/07\/08\/suspect-in-shooting-of-slovakias-prime-minister-fico-stands-trial-on-terror-charges","lastModified":1751974292},{"id":2811074,"cid":9341179,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"CULTURE - KANYE WEST FESTIVAL BAN PETITION ","daletPyramidId":1922129,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Thousands sign petition opposing Kanye West\u2019s headline slot at Slovak music festival","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Thousands protest against Ye\u2019s headline slot at Slovak festival","titleListing2":"Thousands sign petition opposing Kanye West\u2019s headline slot at Slovak music festival","leadin":"The petition brands Kanye West \u201cone of the world\u2019s most prominent antisemites,\u201d citing, among other things, his sale of a T-shirt featuring a swastika on his website.","summary":"The petition brands Kanye West \u201cone of the world\u2019s most prominent antisemites,\u201d citing, among other things, his sale of a T-shirt featuring a swastika on his website.","keySentence":"","url":"thousands-sign-petition-opposing-kanye-wests-headline-slot-at-slovak-music-festival","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2025\/06\/24\/thousands-sign-petition-opposing-kanye-wests-headline-slot-at-slovak-music-festival","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"A growing backlash is mounting in Bratislava after the announcement that controversial rapper Kanye West - now legally known as Ye - is set to headline the Slovakian capital's upcoming Rubicon festival. \n\nA petition urging the mayor to cancel his appearance describes the booking as \u201can insult to historic memory, a glorification of wartime violence and debasement of all victims of the Nazi regime\u201d.\n\nThe Rubicon festival, which bills itself as a cultural event of \u201cvision and provocation,\u201d revealed plans for an exclusive mid-July performance by what it called a \u201chip-hop visionary, cultural icon, and controversial genius.\u201d\n\nHowever, more than 3,600 people have signed a petition - endorsed by groups including Peace for Ukraine and Cities for Democracy - demanding Ye\u2019s removal from the lineup. It accuses the artist of \u201crepeatedly and openly adhering to symbols and [an] ideology connected with the darkest period of modern global history\u201d. \n\nThe 48-year-old rapper has remained in the headlines for a long string of increasingly controversial and provocative antics. These include accusations of controlling behaviour toward his wife, Bianca Censori; the sale of Swastika-emblazoned T-shirts on his now-taken down Yeezy retail site; and most recently, the release of a track titled Heil Hitler on 8 May - coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany\u2019s defeat. \n\nThe online petition also warns that West\u2019s appearance could attract \u201cradical and extremist groups from Slovakia and abroad\u201d and cited \u201clegitimate concern about the appearance of Nazi symbolism, violent behaviour or the spread of ideology that is unacceptable in a democratic society and criminal in our country\u201d.\n\nMeanwhile, West - who recently made a brief appearance at the sex-trafficking trial of Sean \u201cDiddy\u201d Combs - is expected to release a full version of his 12th album Bully, following the leak of several incomplete editions earlier this year.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>A growing backlash is mounting in Bratislava after the announcement that controversial rapper Kanye West - now legally known as Ye - is set to headline the Slovakian capital's upcoming Rubicon festival. <\/p>\n<p>A petition urging the mayor to cancel his appearance describes the booking as \u201can insult to historic memory, a glorification of wartime violence and debasement of all victims of the Nazi regime\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The Rubicon festival, which bills itself as a cultural event of \u201cvision and provocation,\u201d revealed plans for an exclusive mid-July performance by what it called a \u201chip-hop visionary, cultural icon, and controversial genius.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>However, more than 3,600 people have signed a petition - endorsed by groups including Peace for Ukraine and Cities for Democracy - demanding Ye\u2019s removal from the lineup. It accuses the artist of \u201crepeatedly and openly adhering to symbols and [an] ideology connected with the darkest period of modern global history\u201d. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9124984,9104886\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//03//10//kanye-ye-west-posts-kkk-photo-after-announcing-return-of-his-gospel-choir/">Kanye \u2018Ye\u2019 West posts KKK photo after announcing return of his gospel choir<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//03//19//kanye-ye-west-new-album-drop-overshadowed-by-yet-another-disgusting-social-media-meltdown/">Kanye \u2018Ye\u2019 West new album drop overshadowed by yet another disgusting social media meltdown<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//34//11//79//808x539_cmsv2_c77e0499-2da2-54f9-90c6-ccacaa212031-9341179.jpg/" alt=\"Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday 2 Feb. 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/34\/11\/79\/384x256_cmsv2_c77e0499-2da2-54f9-90c6-ccacaa212031-9341179.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/34\/11\/79\/640x427_cmsv2_c77e0499-2da2-54f9-90c6-ccacaa212031-9341179.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/34\/11\/79\/750x500_cmsv2_c77e0499-2da2-54f9-90c6-ccacaa212031-9341179.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/34\/11\/79\/828x552_cmsv2_c77e0499-2da2-54f9-90c6-ccacaa212031-9341179.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/34\/11\/79\/1080x720_cmsv2_c77e0499-2da2-54f9-90c6-ccacaa212031-9341179.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/34\/11\/79\/1200x800_cmsv2_c77e0499-2da2-54f9-90c6-ccacaa212031-9341179.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/34\/11\/79\/1920x1280_cmsv2_c77e0499-2da2-54f9-90c6-ccacaa212031-9341179.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday 2 Feb. 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Credit: AP Photo <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The 48-year-old rapper has remained in the headlines for a long string of increasingly <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//02//12//kanye-ye-west-dropped-by-talent-agency-following-harmful-and-hateful-remarks/">controversial and provocative antics<\/strong><\/a>. These include accusations of controlling behaviour toward his wife, <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//02//06//degrading-or-empowering-kanye-west-and-the-dark-side-of-the-bianca-censori-grammy-dress-co/">Bianca Censori<\/strong><\/a>; the sale of Swastika-emblazoned T-shirts on his now-taken down Yeezy retail site; and most recently, the release of a track titled <em>Heil Hitler<\/em> on 8 May - coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany\u2019s defeat. <\/p>\n<p>The online petition also warns that West\u2019s appearance could attract \u201cradical and extremist groups from Slovakia and abroad\u201d and cited \u201clegitimate concern about the appearance of Nazi symbolism, violent behaviour or the spread of ideology that is unacceptable in a democratic society and criminal in our country\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, West - who recently made a brief appearance at the sex-trafficking trial of <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//culture//2025//05//13//music-mogul-sean-diddy-combs-faces-15-years-in-prison-if-convicted-as-trial-begins-in-new-/">Sean \u201cDiddy\u201d Combs<\/strong><\/a> - is expected to release a full version of his 12th album <em>Bully<\/em>, following the leak of several incomplete editions earlier this year.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1750760797,"updatedAt":1750767378,"publishedAt":1750767156,"firstPublishedAt":1750767156,"lastPublishedAt":1750767156,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/34\/11\/79\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e594572d-6a02-528d-87ea-50a48e43b4e6-9341179.jpg","altText":"Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, leaves federal court during the trial of Sean \"Diddy\" Combs in New York, Friday, 13 June 2025. ","caption":"Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, leaves federal court during the trial of Sean \"Diddy\" Combs in New York, Friday, 13 June 2025. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Credit: AP Photo ","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/34\/11\/79\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c77e0499-2da2-54f9-90c6-ccacaa212031-9341179.jpg","altText":"Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday 2 Feb. 2025","caption":"Kanye West and Bianca Censori at the 67th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday 2 Feb. 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Credit: AP Photo ","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2328,"urlSafeValue":"farrant","title":"Theo Farrant","twitter":"@theo_farrant"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":17268,"slug":"kanye-west","urlSafeValue":"kanye-west","title":"Kanye West ","titleRaw":"Kanye West "},{"id":10843,"slug":"music-festival","urlSafeValue":"music-festival","title":"Music festival","titleRaw":"Music festival"},{"id":6721,"slug":"controversy","urlSafeValue":"controversy","title":"Controversy","titleRaw":"Controversy"},{"id":12390,"slug":"petition","urlSafeValue":"petition","title":"Petition","titleRaw":"Petition"},{"id":11646,"slug":"music","urlSafeValue":"music","title":"Music","titleRaw":"Music"},{"id":8725,"slug":"celebrity-news","urlSafeValue":"celebrity-news","title":"Celebrity News","titleRaw":"Celebrity News"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2550824},{"id":2812583}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/culture-news\/culture-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"culture","verticals":[{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":10,"slug":"culture","urlSafeValue":"culture","title":"Culture"},"themes":[{"id":"culture-news","urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news","url":"\/culture\/culture-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":53,"urlSafeValue":"culture-news","title":"Culture news"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":{"id":1750,"urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122003","80222003","84011001","84012006","84111001","84112005","84201001","84202001","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["a_and_e_music","aggregated_all_moderate_content","arts_and_entertainment","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","shopping","shopping_general","society","society_general","violence_high_and_medium_risk","violence_high_medium_and_low_risk"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/culture\/2025\/06\/24\/thousands-sign-petition-opposing-kanye-wests-headline-slot-at-slovak-music-festival","lastModified":1750767156},{"id":2798968,"cid":9277336,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA ANTI-FICO PROTESTS","daletPyramidId":1455239,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovak protesters condemn PM Robert Fico's Moscow visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovak protesters condemn PM Robert Fico's Moscow visit to meet Putin","titleListing2":"Slovak protesters condemn PM Robert Fico's Moscow visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin","leadin":"Thousands of protesters gathered in Freedom Square in the capital, Bratislava, to voice their objection to PM Fico and oppose his anti-Europe, pro-Russian policies.","summary":"Thousands of protesters gathered in Freedom Square in the capital, Bratislava, to voice their objection to PM Fico and oppose his anti-Europe, pro-Russian policies.","keySentence":"","url":"slovak-protesters-condemn-pm-robert-ficos-moscow-visit-to-meet-russian-president-vladimir-","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/05\/10\/slovak-protesters-condemn-pm-robert-ficos-moscow-visit-to-meet-russian-president-vladimir-","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Demonstrators convened in the Slovak capital, Bratislava, on Friday to express their opposition to the recent visit of Prime Minister Robert Fico to Russia.\n\nFico was the sole leader from a European Union nation to attend the celebrations in Moscow commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019ve had enough of Fico,\u201d \u201cSlovakia is Europe,\u201d and \u201cStay there,\u201d the people who gathered at the Freedom Square chanted.\n\nThe organisers stated that Fico does not represent the entirety of Slovakia.\n\nThe Kremlin has leveraged the yearly 'Victory Day' festivities to showcase its military capabilities.\n\nOn Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin commended the Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, stating that \u201cwe are proud of their courage and determination, their spiritual force that always has brought us victory.\u201d\n\nFico stated in a video message that his objective was to create a relationship of \u201cnormal, friendly cooperation\u201d with Russia.\n\nThe rallies in Bratislava and some other towns and cities across Slovakia were the latest in a wave of protests that were fuelled by Fico\u2019s recent trip to Moscow for talks with Putin over gas deliveries in December.\n\nFico, a controversial figure both domestically and internationally, regained power in 2023 when his leftist Smer party triumphed in a parliamentary election that promoted pro-Russian and anti-American sentiments.\n\nRenowned for his pro-Russian perspective, he has publicly opposed the European Union's policies regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.\n\nHis administration has encountered significant protests against its pro-Kremlin stance and increasingly Eurosceptic approach. Fico has routinely echoed anti-EU rhetoric and threatened on numerous occasions to withdraw Slovakia from NATO.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Demonstrators convened in the Slovak capital, Bratislava, on Friday to express their opposition to the recent visit of Prime Minister Robert Fico to Russia.<\/p>\n<p>Fico was the sole leader from a European Union nation to attend the celebrations in Moscow commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve had enough of Fico,\u201d \u201cSlovakia is Europe,\u201d and \u201cStay there,\u201d the people who gathered at the Freedom Square chanted.<\/p>\n<p>The organisers stated that Fico does not represent the entirety of Slovakia.<\/p>\n<p>The Kremlin has leveraged the yearly 'Victory Day' festivities to showcase its military capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin commended the Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, stating that \u201cwe are proud of their courage and determination, their spiritual force that always has brought us victory.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.71875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//27//73//36//808x581_cmsv2_959dfcca-c115-5499-9f7f-c48c63e238be-9277336.jpg/" alt=\"Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico enter the hall during their meeting in Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, Friday, May 9, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/27\/73\/36\/384x276_cmsv2_959dfcca-c115-5499-9f7f-c48c63e238be-9277336.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/27\/73\/36\/640x460_cmsv2_959dfcca-c115-5499-9f7f-c48c63e238be-9277336.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/27\/73\/36\/750x539_cmsv2_959dfcca-c115-5499-9f7f-c48c63e238be-9277336.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/27\/73\/36\/828x595_cmsv2_959dfcca-c115-5499-9f7f-c48c63e238be-9277336.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/27\/73\/36\/1080x776_cmsv2_959dfcca-c115-5499-9f7f-c48c63e238be-9277336.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/27\/73\/36\/1200x863_cmsv2_959dfcca-c115-5499-9f7f-c48c63e238be-9277336.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/27\/73\/36\/1920x1380_cmsv2_959dfcca-c115-5499-9f7f-c48c63e238be-9277336.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico enter the hall during their meeting in Kremlin, Moscow, Russia, Friday, May 9, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Alexander Nemenov\/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Fico stated in a video message that his objective was to create a relationship of \u201cnormal, friendly cooperation\u201d with Russia.<\/p>\n<p>The rallies in Bratislava and some other towns and cities across Slovakia were the latest in a wave of protests that were fuelled by Fico\u2019s recent trip to Moscow for talks with Putin over gas deliveries in December.<\/p>\n<p>Fico, a controversial figure both domestically and internationally, regained power in 2023 when his leftist Smer party triumphed in a parliamentary election that promoted pro-Russian and anti-American sentiments.<\/p>\n<p>Renowned for his pro-Russian perspective, he has publicly opposed the European Union's policies regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>His administration has encountered significant protests against its pro-Kremlin stance and increasingly Eurosceptic approach. Fico has routinely echoed anti-EU rhetoric and threatened on numerous occasions to withdraw Slovakia from NATO.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1746848372,"updatedAt":1746852753,"publishedAt":1746849807,"firstPublishedAt":1746849807,"lastPublishedAt":1746850300,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/27\/73\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_37d6f284-d706-5020-ab1c-52ddd263f4b3-9277336.jpg","altText":"Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting before Victory Day parades in Moscow, Russia, Friday, May 9, 2025","caption":"Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting before Victory Day parades in Moscow, Russia, Friday, May 9, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Alexei Nikolsky\/Copyright 2025 Photo host agency RIA Novosti","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":576},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/27\/73\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_959dfcca-c115-5499-9f7f-c48c63e238be-9277336.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":736}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"fouda","title":"Malek Fouda","twitter":"themalekfouda"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":1750,"slug":"bratislava","urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava","titleRaw":"Bratislava"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":8263,"slug":"vladimir-putin","urlSafeValue":"vladimir-putin","title":"Vladimir Putin","titleRaw":"Vladimir Putin"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2806165},{"id":2814563},{"id":2815641}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"4KyHGwahhRg","dailymotionId":"x9j9c7a"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/14\/53\/56\/06\/ED_PYR_1453566_20250510044707.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11819771,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/14\/53\/56\/06\/SHD_PYR_1453566_20250510044707.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":16291984,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/14\/53\/56\/06\/FHD_PYR_1453566_20250510044707.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":49015939,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/05\/10\/slovak-protesters-condemn-pm-robert-ficos-moscow-visit-to-meet-russian-president-vladimir-","lastModified":1746850300},{"id":2797388,"cid":9267452,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA FICO EU ENERGY PLAN RUSSIA","daletPyramidId":1419743,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovakia's prime minister rejects EU plan to halt Russian gas imports by end of 2027","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovakia's PM slams EU over plan to end Russian gas imports by 2027","titleListing2":"Slovakia's prime minister rejects EU plan to halt Russian gas imports by end of 2027","leadin":"Robert Fico is not alone in voicing his discontent. Hungary, the other member state with close ties to Moscow, also hit out at the plan.","summary":"Robert Fico is not alone in voicing his discontent. Hungary, the other member state with close ties to Moscow, also hit out at the plan.","keySentence":"","url":"slovakias-prime-minister-rejects-eu-plan-to-halt-russian-gas-imports-by-end-of-2027","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/05\/07\/slovakias-prime-minister-rejects-eu-plan-to-halt-russian-gas-imports-by-end-of-2027","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Slovakia's prime minister has blasted\u00a0a European Union plan to stop imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027 to deprive President Vladimir Putin of revenue that helps fuel\u00a0the war in Ukraine.\n\nThe\u00a0European Commission, the bloc's executive branch, will present a detailed plan next month.\n\nIt will seek to ban new gas contracts with Russia by the end of this year and phase out existing ones still in use in the 27-nation EU by the end of 2027.\n\nBut Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico called the plan \"absolutely unacceptable\" for his country and said his government was ready to veto it.\n\nHe said the move would be harmful for Slovakia and the entire EU, because the price of gas will increase as a result.\n\nSlovakia has a gas delivery deal with Russia that expires in 2034, and Fico said that he would seek compensations for damages, if the plan proceeds.\n\nEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is pressing ahead with the plan, told EU lawmakers that Russia has proven time and again that it is not a reliable energy supplier.\n\n\"Dependency on Russia is not only bad for our security, but also for our economy. Our energy prices cannot be dictated by a hostile neighbour,\" she told members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.\n\nFico also rejected a proposal to halt imports of oil and nuclear fuel from Russia to the European Union.\n\nHungary and Slovakia, whose leaders are considered to be Putin's closest allies in Europe, have blocked EU military assistance to Ukraine and had been expected to oppose the European Commission's gas plans.\n\nFico, a divisive figure at home and abroad, returned to power in 2003 after his leftist Smer (Direction) party won a\u00a0parliamentary election on a pro-Russia, anti-America platform.\n\nKnown for his pro-Russia views, he has openly challenged the EU's policies over Ukraine.\n\nHe is set to become\u00a0the only EU leader to travel to Moscow for the parade marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.\n\nIt will be his\u00a0second trip to the Russian capital since December.\n\nHis government has faced\u00a0vocal protests in Slovakia against its perceived pro-Russian stance.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Slovakia's prime minister has blasted\u00a0a European Union plan to stop imports of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027 to deprive President Vladimir Putin of revenue that helps fuel\u00a0the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0European Commission, the bloc's executive branch, will present a detailed plan next month.<\/p>\n<p>It will seek to ban new gas contracts with Russia by the end of this year and phase out existing ones still in use in the 27-nation EU by the end of 2027.<\/p>\n<p>But Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico called the plan \"absolutely unacceptable\" for his country and said his government was ready to veto it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//26//74//52//808x539_cmsv2_83a0eed4-0757-52d9-8fe0-cd19c1e5bf02-9267452.jpg/" alt=\"Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a media conference in Brussels, 9 January, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/74\/52\/384x256_cmsv2_83a0eed4-0757-52d9-8fe0-cd19c1e5bf02-9267452.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/74\/52\/640x427_cmsv2_83a0eed4-0757-52d9-8fe0-cd19c1e5bf02-9267452.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/74\/52\/750x500_cmsv2_83a0eed4-0757-52d9-8fe0-cd19c1e5bf02-9267452.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/74\/52\/828x552_cmsv2_83a0eed4-0757-52d9-8fe0-cd19c1e5bf02-9267452.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/74\/52\/1080x720_cmsv2_83a0eed4-0757-52d9-8fe0-cd19c1e5bf02-9267452.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/74\/52\/1200x800_cmsv2_83a0eed4-0757-52d9-8fe0-cd19c1e5bf02-9267452.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/74\/52\/1920x1280_cmsv2_83a0eed4-0757-52d9-8fe0-cd19c1e5bf02-9267452.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a media conference in Brussels, 9 January, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>He said the move would be harmful for Slovakia and the entire EU, because the price of gas will increase as a result.<\/p>\n<p>Slovakia has a gas delivery deal with Russia that expires in 2034, and Fico said that he would seek compensations for damages, if the plan proceeds.<\/p>\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is pressing ahead with the plan, told EU lawmakers that Russia has proven time and again that it is not a reliable energy supplier.<\/p>\n<p>\"Dependency on Russia is not only bad for our security, but also for our economy. Our energy prices cannot be dictated by a hostile neighbour,\" she told members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.<\/p>\n<p>Fico also rejected a proposal to halt imports of oil and nuclear fuel from Russia to the European Union.<\/p>\n<p>Hungary and Slovakia, whose leaders are considered to be Putin's closest allies in Europe, have blocked EU military assistance to Ukraine and had been expected to oppose the European Commission's gas plans.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9266454,9233460,9206480\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//04//16//slovakias-fico-insists-on-attending-moscows-victory-day-parade-despite-eu-warnings/">Slovakia's Fico insists on attending Moscow's 'Victory Day' parade despite EU warnings<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//05//07//historic-mistake-von-der-leyen-rules-out-return-to-russian-fuels-after-the-war/">'Historic mistake': Von der Leyen rules out return to Russian fuels after the war<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//04//25//protests-held-across-slovakia-over-ngo-legislation/">Protests held across Slovakia over NGO legislation<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Fico, a divisive figure at home and abroad, returned to power in 2003 after his leftist Smer (Direction) party won a\u00a0parliamentary election on a pro-Russia, anti-America platform.<\/p>\n<p>Known for his pro-Russia views, he has openly challenged the EU's policies over Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>He is set to become\u00a0the only EU leader to travel to Moscow for the parade marking the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.<\/p>\n<p>It will be his\u00a0second trip to the Russian capital since December.<\/p>\n<p>His government has faced\u00a0vocal protests in Slovakia against its perceived pro-Russian stance.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1746611782,"updatedAt":1746618882,"publishedAt":1746618836,"firstPublishedAt":1746618836,"lastPublishedAt":1746618836,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/74\/52\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_ffee4622-5b72-5338-bfd7-64a73c5e4a6d-9267452.jpg","altText":"A view of Gazprom's Amur Gas Processing Plant in the Amur region, 13 September, 2023","caption":"A view of Gazprom's Amur Gas Processing Plant in the Amur region, 13 September, 2023","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1124},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/26\/74\/52\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_83a0eed4-0757-52d9-8fe0-cd19c1e5bf02-9267452.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3272,"urlSafeValue":"sullivan","title":"Rory Sullivan","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":18906,"slug":"ursula-von-der-leyen","urlSafeValue":"ursula-von-der-leyen","title":"Ursula von der Leyen","titleRaw":"Ursula von der Leyen"},{"id":26698,"slug":"russia-ukraine-invasion","urlSafeValue":"russia-ukraine-invasion","title":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine"},{"id":4141,"slug":"gas","urlSafeValue":"gas","title":"Gas","titleRaw":"Gas"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2804965}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":[],"slugs":[]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/05\/07\/slovakias-prime-minister-rejects-eu-plan-to-halt-russian-gas-imports-by-end-of-2027","lastModified":1746618836},{"id":2789398,"cid":9222440,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"250430_EESU_57962296","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":1,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"EE-30-ESTO 30 - FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE SLOVAKIA - MASTER","daletPyramidId":null,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"How is the European Union fighting the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease?","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Is the EU properly prepared to fight foot-and-mouth disease?","titleListing2":"How is the European Union fighting the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease?","leadin":"Following cases in Germany earlier this year and Hungary a few weeks ago, Slovakia is currently facing a significant outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Is the European Union properly prepared to fight this extremely contagious virus that is terrorising some livestock farms?","summary":"Following cases in Germany earlier this year and Hungary a few weeks ago, Slovakia is currently facing a significant outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Is the European Union properly prepared to fight this extremely contagious virus that is terrorising some livestock farms?","keySentence":"","url":"how-is-the-european-union-fighting-the-latest-outbreak-of-foot-and-mouth-disease","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/04\/30\/how-is-the-european-union-fighting-the-latest-outbreak-of-foot-and-mouth-disease","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Foot-and-mouth disease is a viral disease that primarily affects cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The disease poses no threat to human health,\u00a0but infected animals suffer great pain, and their production of milk or meat is reduced. Most animals survive the infection, but may carry the highly contagious virus for a long time \u2014 hence the need to rapidly contain any outbreak through quarantine and the culling of both infected and healthy animals.\u00a0\n\nThe EU has an extensive legal framework to control outbreaks, including trade restrictions on susceptible animals and their products. All Member States are obliged to have contingency plans. Cutting-edge state-backed laboratories must collaborate with the EU Reference Laboratory so that experts can help define the best emergency measures for each outbreak. The resulting culling and trade restrictions often cause heavy economic losses across the farming sector. Affected Member States can ask for EU compensation funds to be provided after the total costs suffered by the farmers and the sector\u2019s supply chain have been calculated. \u00a0\n\nIn Slovakia, the foot-and-mouth virus has so far been detected on at least six farms, and between 6,000 and 7,000 animals have been culled to date. Hundreds of farms are under strict surveillance and undergoing disinfection.\u00a0\n\nJust outside the perimeter of the affected area, Agrocontract Mikulas dairy farm has so far been spared from the disease. But the potential detection of a single virus inside would mean the sacrifice of its 6,000 animals, including 3,000 dairy cows.\u00a0 Every year the farm produces some 35 million litres of milk. It employs 200 staff and is a key employer in this mainly rural area of Slovakia.\u00a0\n\nAccess is restricted. Workers and machinery entering are subject to strict disinfection procedures.\u00a0\n\n\u201cWe are spraying the wheels of all the trucks. Employees who come in have to go through a clean and dirty zone and take showers a couple of times a day,\u201d explains farmer and owner of the agribusiness Martin Zahumensk\u00fd. \u201cIt\u2019s very stressful. Every time I get a call from [another] farm, we expect bad news and to be honest, I can\u2019t sleep very well. We are very worried about the business.\u201d\n\nTheir agricultural activity includes 5,500 hectares of fields where corn, soybeans, and wheat are grown, mainly as food for dairy cows, the cornerstone of their whole agribusiness. \u00a0\n\nThe farm is a family business founded 30 years ago by Martin\u2019s dad. They have watched with increasing anxiety how the virus has destroyed other farms in the region. \u00a0\n\n\u201cI really feel for those\u00a0who have been impacted,\u201d says Marian Zahumensk\u00fd, farmer and CEO of the farm. \u201cOne of the farms affected is a member of the same breeders\u2019 association as us; we work very closely together.\u00a0I can imagine the tragedy that befell them; I relate deeply to the people who built and cared their whole herd. It was a huge amount of effort and years of work.\u201d\u00a0\n\n\u201cAll the farmers are affected economically by the current situation because they have to spend a lot of money on disinfection and all kinds of biosecurity measures,\u201d explains Martin. \u201cSo in the first place, the government should refund them and help them to cover these costs. And in cases of farms where they have had to kill all their animals, they have to refund these losses very quickly, because without... help from the government, without help from the European Union, these farms will not be able to start running again.\u201d\n\nIn efforts to contain the spread of the foot-and-mouth virus, some border crossings between Austria and Hungary have been closed. Others, between Slovakia and neighbouring Hungary and the Czech Republic are being carefully controlled.\u00a0\n\nSince the start of the crisis, the State Veterinary Institute of Olomouc in the Czech Republic has received milk samples from 57 farms around the affected area in Slovakia, twice a week.\u00a0\n\nThese analyses are crucial to control the potential spread of the disease across the EU.\u00a0\n\nThe virus is calamitous for animals and farm production, but does not normally affect people, the lab\u2019s director insists: \u201cMilk that has undergone\u00a0pasteurisation\u00a0and meat that has undergone the maturation process, especially if it is still subsequently heat treated, is safe and does not endanger the health of consumers,\u201d explains Jan Bardo\u0148.\n\nIs Europe properly prepared to prevent the spread of the virus across its open borders and common market?\n\n\u201cEuropean cooperation is at a very good level,\u201d replies Bardo\u0148. \u201cThere is a rapid alert system whereby the veterinary authorities of each Member State are immediately informed.\u00a0There is a single prevention strategy within the EU, but each country has to adapt it to its specific geographical or climate conditions, local resources or farm characteristics. There is, for instance, a difference if we are dealing with a farm with 10,000 cattle or a farm with five cows.\u201d\n\nThe European Commission has just reminded affected Member States that emergency measures shall continuously be adapted to the evolving epidemiological situation.\u00a0\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Foot-and-mouth disease is a viral disease that primarily affects cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The disease poses no threat to human health,\u00a0but infected animals suffer great pain, and their production of milk or meat is reduced. Most animals survive the infection, but may carry the highly contagious virus for a long time \u2014 hence the need to rapidly contain any outbreak through quarantine and the culling of both infected and healthy animals.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The EU has an extensive legal framework to control outbreaks, including trade restrictions on susceptible animals and their products. All Member States are obliged to have contingency plans. Cutting-edge state-backed laboratories must collaborate with the EU Reference Laboratory so that experts can help define the best emergency measures for each outbreak. The resulting culling and trade restrictions often cause heavy economic losses across the farming sector. Affected Member States can ask for EU compensation funds to be provided after the total costs suffered by the farmers and the sector\u2019s supply chain have been calculated. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In Slovakia, the foot-and-mouth virus has so far been detected on at least six farms, and between 6,000 and 7,000 animals have been culled to date. Hundreds of farms are under strict surveillance and undergoing disinfection.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5405\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//22//24//42//808x437_cmsv2_4f36992d-5c02-5d2d-b13c-a1531be9102d-9222442.jpg/" alt=\"Agrocontract Mikulas a.s. farm in Slovakia extends over 5,500 ha and has 6,000 animals, including 3,000 dairy cows\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/384x208_cmsv2_4f36992d-5c02-5d2d-b13c-a1531be9102d-9222442.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/640x346_cmsv2_4f36992d-5c02-5d2d-b13c-a1531be9102d-9222442.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/750x405_cmsv2_4f36992d-5c02-5d2d-b13c-a1531be9102d-9222442.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/828x448_cmsv2_4f36992d-5c02-5d2d-b13c-a1531be9102d-9222442.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1080x584_cmsv2_4f36992d-5c02-5d2d-b13c-a1531be9102d-9222442.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1200x649_cmsv2_4f36992d-5c02-5d2d-b13c-a1531be9102d-9222442.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1920x1038_cmsv2_4f36992d-5c02-5d2d-b13c-a1531be9102d-9222442.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Agrocontract Mikulas a.s. farm in Slovakia extends over 5,500 ha and has 6,000 animals, including 3,000 dairy cows<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Just outside the perimeter of the affected area, Agrocontract Mikulas dairy farm has so far been spared from the disease. But the potential detection of a single virus inside would mean the sacrifice of its 6,000 animals, including 3,000 dairy cows.\u00a0 Every year the farm produces some 35 million litres of milk. It employs 200 staff and is a key employer in this mainly rural area of Slovakia.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Access is restricted. Workers and machinery entering are subject to strict disinfection procedures.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5605\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//22//24//42//808x454_cmsv2_5d5d9d58-0d9f-5cad-9082-5a5aa641f446-9222442.jpg/" alt=\"Disinfection activities at the farm\u2019s main entrance\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/384x215_cmsv2_5d5d9d58-0d9f-5cad-9082-5a5aa641f446-9222442.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/640x359_cmsv2_5d5d9d58-0d9f-5cad-9082-5a5aa641f446-9222442.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/750x420_cmsv2_5d5d9d58-0d9f-5cad-9082-5a5aa641f446-9222442.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/828x464_cmsv2_5d5d9d58-0d9f-5cad-9082-5a5aa641f446-9222442.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1080x605_cmsv2_5d5d9d58-0d9f-5cad-9082-5a5aa641f446-9222442.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1200x673_cmsv2_5d5d9d58-0d9f-5cad-9082-5a5aa641f446-9222442.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1920x1076_cmsv2_5d5d9d58-0d9f-5cad-9082-5a5aa641f446-9222442.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Disinfection activities at the farm\u2019s main entrance<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cWe are spraying the wheels of all the trucks. Employees who come in have to go through a clean and dirty zone and take showers a couple of times a day,\u201d explains farmer and owner of the agribusiness Martin Zahumensk\u00fd. \u201cIt\u2019s very stressful. Every time I get a call from [another] farm, we expect bad news and to be honest, I can\u2019t sleep very well. We are very worried about the business.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//22//24//42//808x475_cmsv2_e1a66835-943d-51eb-ace5-163417d879f7-9222442.jpg/" alt=\"Farmer Martin Zahumensk\u00fd. His farm employs 200 staff and produces 35 million litres of milk every year\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/384x226_cmsv2_e1a66835-943d-51eb-ace5-163417d879f7-9222442.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/640x376_cmsv2_e1a66835-943d-51eb-ace5-163417d879f7-9222442.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/750x441_cmsv2_e1a66835-943d-51eb-ace5-163417d879f7-9222442.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/828x486_cmsv2_e1a66835-943d-51eb-ace5-163417d879f7-9222442.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1080x635_cmsv2_e1a66835-943d-51eb-ace5-163417d879f7-9222442.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1200x705_cmsv2_e1a66835-943d-51eb-ace5-163417d879f7-9222442.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1920x1128_cmsv2_e1a66835-943d-51eb-ace5-163417d879f7-9222442.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Farmer Martin Zahumensk\u00fd. His farm employs 200 staff and produces 35 million litres of milk every year<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Their agricultural activity includes 5,500 hectares of fields where corn, soybeans, and wheat are grown, mainly as food for dairy cows, the cornerstone of their whole agribusiness. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The farm is a family business founded 30 years ago by Martin\u2019s dad. They have watched with increasing anxiety how the virus has destroyed other farms in the region. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI really feel for those\u00a0who have been impacted,\u201d says Marian Zahumensk\u00fd, farmer and CEO of the farm. \u201cOne of the farms affected is a member of the same breeders\u2019 association as us; we work very closely together.\u00a0I can imagine the tragedy that befell them; I relate deeply to the people who built and cared their whole herd. It was a huge amount of effort and years of work.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.526\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//22//24//42//808x425_cmsv2_e8d3d3b7-b9b2-53bc-8d55-afecde6e801b-9222442.jpg/" alt=\"Farm owner Marian and his son watching their dairy cows. Entrance to the farm is heavily restricted\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/384x202_cmsv2_e8d3d3b7-b9b2-53bc-8d55-afecde6e801b-9222442.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/640x337_cmsv2_e8d3d3b7-b9b2-53bc-8d55-afecde6e801b-9222442.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/750x395_cmsv2_e8d3d3b7-b9b2-53bc-8d55-afecde6e801b-9222442.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/828x436_cmsv2_e8d3d3b7-b9b2-53bc-8d55-afecde6e801b-9222442.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1080x568_cmsv2_e8d3d3b7-b9b2-53bc-8d55-afecde6e801b-9222442.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1200x631_cmsv2_e8d3d3b7-b9b2-53bc-8d55-afecde6e801b-9222442.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1920x1010_cmsv2_e8d3d3b7-b9b2-53bc-8d55-afecde6e801b-9222442.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Farm owner Marian and his son watching their dairy cows. Entrance to the farm is heavily restricted<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\u201cAll the farmers are affected economically by the current situation because they have to spend a lot of money on disinfection and all kinds of biosecurity measures,\u201d explains Martin. \u201cSo in the first place, the government should refund them and help them to cover these costs. And in cases of farms where they have had to kill all their animals, they have to refund these losses very quickly, because without... help from the government, without help from the European Union, these farms will not be able to start running again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In efforts to contain the spread of the foot-and-mouth virus, some border crossings between Austria and Hungary have been closed. Others, between Slovakia and neighbouring Hungary and the Czech Republic are being carefully controlled.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.679\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//22//24//42//808x550_cmsv2_e1a3b03a-1f2c-5f93-92ec-c3e5914ded08-9222442.jpg/" alt=\"Milk from around areas affected in Slovakia being analysed at the State Veterinary Institute in Olomouc, Czech Republic\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/384x261_cmsv2_e1a3b03a-1f2c-5f93-92ec-c3e5914ded08-9222442.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/640x435_cmsv2_e1a3b03a-1f2c-5f93-92ec-c3e5914ded08-9222442.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/750x509_cmsv2_e1a3b03a-1f2c-5f93-92ec-c3e5914ded08-9222442.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/828x562_cmsv2_e1a3b03a-1f2c-5f93-92ec-c3e5914ded08-9222442.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1080x733_cmsv2_e1a3b03a-1f2c-5f93-92ec-c3e5914ded08-9222442.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1200x815_cmsv2_e1a3b03a-1f2c-5f93-92ec-c3e5914ded08-9222442.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1920x1304_cmsv2_e1a3b03a-1f2c-5f93-92ec-c3e5914ded08-9222442.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Milk from around areas affected in Slovakia being analysed at the State Veterinary Institute in Olomouc, Czech Republic<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Since the start of the crisis, the State Veterinary Institute of Olomouc in the Czech Republic has received milk samples from 57 farms around the affected area in Slovakia, twice a week.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>These analyses are crucial to control the potential spread of the disease across the EU.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The virus is calamitous for animals and farm production, but does not normally affect people, the lab\u2019s director insists: \u201cMilk that has undergone\u00a0pasteurisation\u00a0and meat that has undergone the maturation process, especially if it is still subsequently heat treated, is safe and does not endanger the health of consumers,\u201d explains Jan Bardo\u0148.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5615\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//22//24//42//808x454_cmsv2_0d695a6d-0182-53aa-8d19-71e2b15f565e-9222442.jpg/" alt=\"Jan Bardo\u0148, Director of the State Veterinary Institute in Olomouc, Czech Republic\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/384x216_cmsv2_0d695a6d-0182-53aa-8d19-71e2b15f565e-9222442.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/640x359_cmsv2_0d695a6d-0182-53aa-8d19-71e2b15f565e-9222442.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/750x421_cmsv2_0d695a6d-0182-53aa-8d19-71e2b15f565e-9222442.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/828x465_cmsv2_0d695a6d-0182-53aa-8d19-71e2b15f565e-9222442.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1080x606_cmsv2_0d695a6d-0182-53aa-8d19-71e2b15f565e-9222442.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1200x674_cmsv2_0d695a6d-0182-53aa-8d19-71e2b15f565e-9222442.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/1920x1078_cmsv2_0d695a6d-0182-53aa-8d19-71e2b15f565e-9222442.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Jan Bardo\u0148, Director of the State Veterinary Institute in Olomouc, Czech Republic<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Euronews<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Is Europe properly prepared to prevent the spread of the virus across its open borders and common market?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEuropean cooperation is at a very good level,\u201d replies Bardo\u0148. \u201cThere is a rapid alert system whereby the veterinary authorities of each Member State are immediately informed.\u00a0There is a single prevention strategy within the EU, but each country has to adapt it to its specific geographical or climate conditions, local resources or farm characteristics. There is, for instance, a difference if we are dealing with a farm with 10,000 cattle or a farm with five cows.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The European Commission has just reminded affected Member States that emergency measures shall continuously be adapted to the evolving epidemiological situation.\u00a0<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1745318630,"updatedAt":1746022399,"publishedAt":1746021633,"firstPublishedAt":1746018033,"lastPublishedAt":1746021678,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/22\/24\/42\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d61bead1-3252-5875-a1b0-7fa70de68a65-9222442.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Euronews","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[{"id":75,"urlSafeValue":"gomez","title":"Julian GOMEZ","twitter":null}],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":13942,"slug":"breeding","urlSafeValue":"breeding","title":"Breeding","titleRaw":"Breeding"},{"id":23342,"slug":"foot-and-mouth-disease","urlSafeValue":"foot-and-mouth-disease","title":"Foot and mouth disease","titleRaw":"Foot and mouth disease"},{"id":139,"slug":"health","urlSafeValue":"health","title":"Health","titleRaw":"Health"},{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":9331,"slug":"european-politics","urlSafeValue":"european-politics","title":"European politics","titleRaw":"European politics"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":6}],"related":[{"id":2804965}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"kd0cDXhZJRA","dailymotionId":"x9irvc4"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/EE\/SU\/25\/04\/30\/en\/250430_EESU_57962296_57962418_480000_134210_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":61298004,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/EE\/SU\/25\/04\/30\/en\/250430_EESU_57962296_57962418_480000_134210_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":92536660,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/1080p\/EN\/EE\/SU\/25\/04\/30\/en\/250430_EESU_57962296_57962418_480000_160202_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":480000,"filesizeBytes":312795988,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europeans-stories","urlSafeValue":"europeans-stories","title":"Europeans' Stories","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/my-europe-series\/europeans-stories"},"season":"EUROPEANS STORIES_S01","episode":"ESTO 30 - FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE SLOVAKIA","episodeId":"30","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"my-europe-series","urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"My Europe Series","url":"\/my-europe\/my-europe-series"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":60,"urlSafeValue":"my-europe-series","title":"Europe Series"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/04\/30\/how-is-the-european-union-fighting-the-latest-outbreak-of-foot-and-mouth-disease","lastModified":1746021678},{"id":2791210,"cid":9233460,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"NC2 SLOVAKIA PROTESTS","daletPyramidId":1298273,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":5},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Protests held across Slovakia over NGO legislation","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":null,"titleListing2":"Protests held across Slovakia over NGO legislation","leadin":"Protesters gathered in Bratislava and cities across Slovakia on Thursday to oppose new legislation they claim could restrict free expression and undermine the work of NGOs.","summary":"Protesters gathered in Bratislava and cities across Slovakia on Thursday to oppose new legislation they claim could restrict free expression and undermine the work of NGOs.","keySentence":"","url":"protests-held-across-slovakia-over-ngo-legislation","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/04\/25\/protests-held-across-slovakia-over-ngo-legislation","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Demonstrators assembled at Freedom Square in the capital before marching to the presidential palace, urging President Peter Pellegrini to veto the bill. \n\nSimilar rallies took place in Banska Bystrica, Kosice, Lucenec, Trnava and Liptovsky Mikulas, with more planned across Slovakia and abroad on Friday.\n\nThe law, passed by Parliament on 17 April, requires non-governmental organisations to disclose leadership details and donors contributing over \u20ac5,000 annually. Critics argue it breaches constitutional rights and EU regulations. \n\nPellegrini has until 2 May to make a decision.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Demonstrators assembled at Freedom Square in the capital before marching to the presidential palace, urging President Peter Pellegrini to veto the bill. <\/p>\n<p>Similar rallies took place in Banska Bystrica, Kosice, Lucenec, Trnava and Liptovsky Mikulas, with more planned across Slovakia and abroad on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>The law, passed by Parliament on 17 April, requires non-governmental organisations to disclose leadership details and donors contributing over \u20ac5,000 annually. Critics argue it breaches constitutional rights and EU regulations. <\/p>\n<p>Pellegrini has until 2 May to make a decision.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1745579183,"updatedAt":1745587872,"publishedAt":1745587709,"firstPublishedAt":1745587709,"lastPublishedAt":1745587709,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/34\/60\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_27640f14-7ccb-5e82-86ce-20dd09ebb993-9233460.jpg","altText":"People gather to take part at a protest called \"Slovakia is Europe\" in Bratislava on Thursday, April 24, 2025.","caption":"People gather to take part at a protest called \"Slovakia is Europe\" in Bratislava on Thursday, April 24, 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Jaroslav Novak\/TASR via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":1750,"slug":"bratislava","urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava","titleRaw":"Bratislava"},{"id":211,"slug":"ngo","urlSafeValue":"ngo","title":"NGO","titleRaw":"NGO"},{"id":27110,"slug":"protestas","urlSafeValue":"protestas","title":"Protests","titleRaw":"Protests"},{"id":9813,"slug":"video","urlSafeValue":"video","title":"Video","titleRaw":"Video"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2606768},{"id":2556984},{"id":2791126}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"qN8RXkevgSE","dailymotionId":"x9ihfus"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/13\/21\/02\/06\/ED_PYR_1321026_20250425112046.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":11487927,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/13\/21\/02\/06\/SHD_PYR_1321026_20250425112046.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":15958127,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/13\/21\/02\/06\/FHD_PYR_1321026_20250425112046.mp4","editor":"","duration":60000,"filesizeBytes":48333230,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP, SKSTVR","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"nocomment","urlSafeValue":"nocomment","title":"No Comment","online":1,"url":"\/nocomment"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/video\/2025\/04\/25\/protests-held-across-slovakia-over-ngo-legislation","lastModified":1745587709},{"id":2790970,"cid":9231936,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA NGO LAW PROTESTS","daletPyramidId":1291405,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Protesters in Slovakia rally against legislation they say could harm NGOs' work ","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovaks rally against legislation they say is harmful to NGOs","titleListing2":"Protesters in Slovakia march against legislation they say is harmful to work of NGOs","leadin":"The rallies in Bratislava and five other cities are part of a wave of protests that was fuelled by Prime Minister Robert Fico's trip to Moscow in December for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.","summary":"The rallies in Bratislava and five other cities are part of a wave of protests that was fuelled by Prime Minister Robert Fico's trip to Moscow in December for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.","keySentence":"","url":"protesters-in-slovakia-rally-against-legislation-they-say-could-harm-ngos-work","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/04\/25\/protesters-in-slovakia-rally-against-legislation-they-say-could-harm-ngos-work","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Protesters have rallied in cities across Slovakia to condemn\u00a0legislation approved by parliament that they say could curb free expression and hamper the work of nongovernmental organisations.\n\nProtesters at Freedom Square in the capital Bratislava compared the measure to\u00a0Russia's \"foreign agent\" law, which has been criticised as repressive, before marching to the presidential palace to urge President Peter Pellegrini to veto the bill.\n\n\"No to the Russian law,\" they chanted, and \"Slovakia is Europe.\"\n\nParliament passed the measure on 17 April and it's supported by Prime Minister\u00a0Robert Fico, who has frequently attacked NGOs.\n\nPellegrini, an ally of Fico, has not commented on the bill though recently he has questioned some of Fico's policies.\n\nHe has until 2 May to consider the legislation.\n\nThe measure would require, among other things, that NGOs publish reports with details on their leaders and any donors who have contributed more than \u20ac5,000 a year.\n\nThe government says the measure will make the financing and functioning of civil groups more transparent.\n\nAn analysis by Via Iuris, a non-profit organisation, said the law violates the constitution, including the right to privacy, freedom of expression and the right to freely associate, as well as European Union rules.\n\nIts aim is to \"stigmatise and limit the activities of civic groups,\" the group says.\n\nThe rallies in Bratislava and five other cities are part of\u00a0a wave of protests that was fuelled by\u00a0Fico's trip to Moscow in December for talks with Russian President\u00a0Vladimir Putin.\n\nFico is planning to travel to Moscow again for a 9 May military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany\u2019s defeat in World War II.\n\nNo other European Union leaders have announced such a plan.\n\nProtests in 20 other locations across Slovakia and abroad are planned for Friday, organisers said.\n\nFico, who is a divisive figure at home and abroad, returned to power in 2003 after his leftist Smer (Direction) party won a\u00a0parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-US platform.\n\nHis government has moved to\u00a0overhaul public broadcasting to give the government control of public television and radio.\n\nThat, along with an\u00a0amendment to the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor, critics say is evidence of Fico leading Slovakia down a more autocratic path.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Protesters have rallied in cities across Slovakia to condemn\u00a0legislation approved by parliament that they say could curb free expression and hamper the work of nongovernmental organisations.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters at Freedom Square in the capital Bratislava compared the measure to\u00a0Russia's \"foreign agent\" law, which has been criticised as repressive, before marching to the presidential palace to urge President Peter Pellegrini to veto the bill.<\/p>\n<p>\"No to the Russian law,\" they chanted, and \"Slovakia is Europe.\"<\/p>\n<p>Parliament passed the measure on 17 April and it's supported by Prime Minister\u00a0Robert Fico, who has frequently attacked NGOs.<\/p>\n<p>Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, has not commented on the bill though recently he has questioned some of Fico's policies.<\/p>\n<p>He has until 2 May to consider the legislation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//23//19//36//808x539_cmsv2_0b0c3b47-38fe-553a-ac41-28e9a2eda4f7-9231936.jpg/" alt=\"Demonstrators hold a public letter to Slovakia&#39;s President Peter Pellegrini during a protest called &quot;Slovakia is Europe&quot; in Bratislava, 24 April, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/384x256_cmsv2_0b0c3b47-38fe-553a-ac41-28e9a2eda4f7-9231936.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/640x427_cmsv2_0b0c3b47-38fe-553a-ac41-28e9a2eda4f7-9231936.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/750x500_cmsv2_0b0c3b47-38fe-553a-ac41-28e9a2eda4f7-9231936.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/828x552_cmsv2_0b0c3b47-38fe-553a-ac41-28e9a2eda4f7-9231936.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/1080x720_cmsv2_0b0c3b47-38fe-553a-ac41-28e9a2eda4f7-9231936.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/1200x800_cmsv2_0b0c3b47-38fe-553a-ac41-28e9a2eda4f7-9231936.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/1920x1280_cmsv2_0b0c3b47-38fe-553a-ac41-28e9a2eda4f7-9231936.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Demonstrators hold a public letter to Slovakia&#39;s President Peter Pellegrini during a protest called &quot;Slovakia is Europe&quot; in Bratislava, 24 April, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The measure would require, among other things, that NGOs publish reports with details on their leaders and any donors who have contributed more than \u20ac5,000 a year.<\/p>\n<p>The government says the measure will make the financing and functioning of civil groups more transparent.<\/p>\n<p>An analysis by Via Iuris, a non-profit organisation, said the law violates the constitution, including the right to privacy, freedom of expression and the right to freely associate, as well as European Union rules.<\/p>\n<p>Its aim is to \"stigmatise and limit the activities of civic groups,\" the group says.<\/p>\n<p>The rallies in Bratislava and five other cities are part of\u00a0a wave of protests that was fuelled by\u00a0Fico's trip to Moscow in December for talks with Russian President\u00a0Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n<p><a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//04//16//slovakias-fico-insists-on-attending-moscows-victory-day-parade-despite-eu-warnings/">Fico is planning to travel to Moscow again for a 9 May military parade<\/a> to mark the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany\u2019s defeat in World War II.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//23//19//36//808x539_cmsv2_b76dd579-6bd2-5940-906f-30bcddc622ff-9231936.jpg/" alt=\"Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, 21 February, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/384x256_cmsv2_b76dd579-6bd2-5940-906f-30bcddc622ff-9231936.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/640x427_cmsv2_b76dd579-6bd2-5940-906f-30bcddc622ff-9231936.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/750x500_cmsv2_b76dd579-6bd2-5940-906f-30bcddc622ff-9231936.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/828x552_cmsv2_b76dd579-6bd2-5940-906f-30bcddc622ff-9231936.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/1080x720_cmsv2_b76dd579-6bd2-5940-906f-30bcddc622ff-9231936.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/1200x800_cmsv2_b76dd579-6bd2-5940-906f-30bcddc622ff-9231936.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/1920x1280_cmsv2_b76dd579-6bd2-5940-906f-30bcddc622ff-9231936.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, 21 February, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>No other European Union leaders have announced such a plan.<\/p>\n<p>Protests in 20 other locations across Slovakia and abroad are planned for Friday, organisers said.<\/p>\n<p>Fico, who is a divisive figure at home and abroad, returned to power in 2003 after his leftist Smer (Direction) party won a\u00a0parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-US platform.<\/p>\n<p>His government has moved to\u00a0overhaul public broadcasting to give the government control of public television and radio.<\/p>\n<p>That, along with an\u00a0amendment to the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor, critics say is evidence of Fico leading Slovakia down a more autocratic path.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1745521575,"updatedAt":1745556079,"publishedAt":1745554500,"firstPublishedAt":1745522580,"lastPublishedAt":1745554553,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_88803264-4321-5b89-af52-bac9e2bf8fa8-9231936.jpg","altText":"People gather to take part at a protest called \"Slovakia is Europe\" in Bratislava, 24 April, 2025","caption":"People gather to take part at a protest called \"Slovakia is Europe\" in Bratislava, 24 April, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1124},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b76dd579-6bd2-5940-906f-30bcddc622ff-9231936.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/23\/19\/36\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0b0c3b47-38fe-553a-ac41-28e9a2eda4f7-9231936.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":23228,"slug":"autocracy","urlSafeValue":"autocracy","title":"autocracy","titleRaw":"autocracy"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2780060},{"id":2773754}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"2N1lPJ7KKH8","dailymotionId":"x9igx26"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/13\/15\/34\/00\/ED_PYR_1315340_20250425044119.mp4","editor":"","duration":50000,"filesizeBytes":10757348,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/13\/15\/34\/00\/SHD_PYR_1315340_20250425044119.mp4","editor":"","duration":50000,"filesizeBytes":14929274,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/13\/15\/34\/00\/FHD_PYR_1315340_20250425044119.mp4","editor":"","duration":50000,"filesizeBytes":40677601,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":{"id":1750,"urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/04\/25\/protesters-in-slovakia-rally-against-legislation-they-say-could-harm-ngos-work","lastModified":1745554553},{"id":2786342,"cid":9206480,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA MOSCOW MILITARY PARADE","daletPyramidId":1195456,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovakia's Fico insists on attending Moscow's 'Victory Day' parade despite EU warnings","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovakia's Fico to attend Moscow's WWII parade despite EU warnings","titleListing2":"Slovakia's Fico insists on attending Moscow's World War II parade despite EU warnings","leadin":"Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Russian troops fighting in Ukraine as \"heroes\" at last year's 9 May event.","summary":"Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Russian troops fighting in Ukraine as \"heroes\" at last year's 9 May event.","keySentence":"","url":"slovakias-fico-insists-on-attending-moscows-victory-day-parade-despite-eu-warnings","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/04\/16\/slovakias-fico-insists-on-attending-moscows-victory-day-parade-despite-eu-warnings","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"\"Nobody can order me where to go or not to go,\" Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico retorted, after the European Union's foreign policy chief warned the continent's leaders against travelling to Moscow for the annual World War II victory parade.\n\nKnown for his Kremlin-friendly stances, Fico has repeatedly said he will attend the military celebrations in the Russian capital on 9 May to mark the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat.\n\n\"Any participation in the 9 May parades or celebrations in Moscow will not be taken lightly on the European side, considering that Russia is really waging a full-scale war in Europe,\" Kaja Kallas told reporters in Luxembourg on Monday.\n\n\"We made it very clear that we do not want any candidate country to participate in these events on the 9th of May in Moscow,\" Kallas said, calling on the member states to send their representatives to the capital of Kyiv instead.\n\nFico found Kallas' remarks \u201cdisrespectful\u201d.\n\n\"Mrs Kallas, I would like to inform you that I am a legitimate prime minister of Slovakia, a sovereign country,\" Fico said in a statement. \"Nobody can order me where to go or not to go.\"\n\n\"I will go to Moscow on 9 May,\" he added.\n\nFico said he will travel to Moscow to honour the Red Army soldiers who liberated his country and other victims of the Nazis.\n\nThe Kremlin has used the annual Victory Day celebrations to tout its battlefield prowess, and Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Russian troops fighting in Ukraine as \"heroes\" at last year's event.\n\nThe Slovakian prime minister returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer won elections on a pro-Moscow platform. \n\nSince then, he has ended his country's military support for Ukraine, lashed out at EU sanctions on Russia, argued with Kyiv over Russian gas transiting through the country, and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.\n\nUnlike many Western politicians, Fico has not visited Kyiv since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion more than three years ago.\n\nHis government has faced ongoing protests against its policies, most recently regarding a draft law targeting NGOs, which has raised concerns of a Russian-style crackdown.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>\"Nobody can order me where to go or not to go,\" Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico retorted, after the European Union's foreign policy chief warned the continent's leaders against travelling to Moscow for the annual World War II victory parade.<\/p>\n<p>Known for his Kremlin-friendly stances, Fico has repeatedly said he will attend the military celebrations in the Russian capital on 9 May to mark the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat.<\/p>\n<p>\"Any participation in the 9 May parades or celebrations in Moscow will not be taken lightly on the European side, considering that Russia is really waging a full-scale war in Europe,\" Kaja Kallas told reporters in Luxembourg on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>\"We made it very clear that we do not want any candidate country to participate in these events on the 9th of May in Moscow,\" Kallas said, calling on the member states to send their representatives to the capital of Kyiv instead.<\/p>\n<p>Fico found Kallas' remarks \u201cdisrespectful\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\"Mrs Kallas, I would like to inform you that I am a legitimate prime minister of Slovakia, a sovereign country,\" Fico said in a statement. \"Nobody can order me where to go or not to go.\"<\/p>\n<p>\"I will go to Moscow on 9 May,\" he added.<\/p>\n<p>Fico said he will travel to Moscow to honour the Red Army soldiers who liberated his country and other victims of the Nazis.<\/p>\n<p>The Kremlin has used the annual Victory Day celebrations to tout its battlefield prowess, and Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Russian troops fighting in Ukraine as \"heroes\" at last year's event.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9132614,8960320\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//03//22//thousands-of-slovaks-protest-in-bratislava-against-pm-robert-fico-and-his-russia-friendly-/">Thousands of Slovaks protest in Bratislava against PM Robert Fico and his Russia-friendly policies<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//01//09//slovakia-ramps-up-anti-zelenskyy-rhetoric-amid-russian-gas-transit-spat/">Slovakia ramps up anti-Zelenskyy rhetoric amid Russian gas transit spat<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Slovakian prime minister returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer won elections on a pro-Moscow platform. <\/p>\n<p>Since then, he has ended his country's military support for Ukraine, lashed out at EU sanctions on Russia, argued with Kyiv over Russian gas transiting through the country, and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike many Western politicians, Fico has not visited Kyiv since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion more than three years ago.<\/p>\n<p>His government has faced ongoing protests against its policies, most recently regarding a draft law targeting NGOs, which has raised concerns of a Russian-style crackdown.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1744796010,"updatedAt":1744797430,"publishedAt":1744797323,"firstPublishedAt":1744797323,"lastPublishedAt":1744797323,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/20\/64\/80\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_da618d3b-1b53-5045-8e04-bf27f5cafffa-9206480.jpg","altText":"FILE: Russian servicemen march during the Victory Day military parade in Red Square in Moscow, 9 May 2024","caption":"FILE: Russian servicemen march during the Victory Day military parade in Red Square in Moscow, 9 May 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1620,"height":911}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2310,"urlSafeValue":"brezar","title":"Aleksandar Brezar","twitter":"@brezaleksandar"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":26698,"slug":"russia-ukraine-invasion","urlSafeValue":"russia-ukraine-invasion","title":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine","titleRaw":"Russia's invasion of Ukraine"},{"id":8263,"slug":"vladimir-putin","urlSafeValue":"vladimir-putin","title":"Vladimir Putin","titleRaw":"Vladimir Putin"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2798086},{"id":2796304}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"AP","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/04\/16\/slovakias-fico-insists-on-attending-moscows-victory-day-parade-despite-eu-warnings","lastModified":1744797323},{"id":2781912,"cid":9178730,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA FOOTANDMOUTH TRAFFIC","daletPyramidId":1101817,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Inspections on trucks from Slovakia over foot-and-mouth disease cause gridlock","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Gridlock at Slovakia border crossings over foot-and-mouth disease ","titleListing2":"Inspections on trucks from Slovakia over foot-and-mouth disease cause masive traffic gridlock","leadin":"A fresh outbreak of the disease was also detected in Hungary, some 15 kilometres from the Slovak border near Bratislava.","summary":"A fresh outbreak of the disease was also detected in Hungary, some 15 kilometres from the Slovak border near Bratislava.","keySentence":"","url":"inspections-on-trucks-from-slovakia-over-foot-and-mouth-disease-cause-gridlock","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/04\/08\/inspections-on-trucks-from-slovakia-over-foot-and-mouth-disease-cause-gridlock","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Inspections against foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia have caused traffic jams on the D2 highway heading towards the Czech Republic.\n\nOfficials reported that tailbacks on both lanes were approximately 12 kilometres long, with Slovak police warning the situation could get worse. \n\nPolice said they have advised motorists to use smaller border crossings to travel to the Czech Republic, although drivers should still expect delays there.\n\nIn late March, Slovakia declared a state of emergency in a bid to rid the country of foot-and-mouth disease after an outbreak of three cases in separate premises housing cattle.\n\nOn Friday, new cases were reported, bringing the total number of affected sites to six.\n\nA fresh outbreak of the disease was also detected in Hungary, some 15 kilometres from the Slovak border near Bratislava.\n\nBorder checks and closures \n\nMeanwhile on Monday, the Slovakian government said it had reintroduced temporary border checks with Hungary and Austria in response to the escalating outbreak.\u00a0\n\nThe measure, which came into effect on Tuesday, will remain in place until 8 May, according to Interior Minister Mat\u00fa\u0161 \u0160utaj E\u0161tok.\n\n\"Although the presence of foot-and-mouth disease has not been confirmed in Austria, the measure is necessary due to the proximity of outbreak areas,\" he said. \n\nCases of the disease were reported in the Dunajsk\u00e1 Streda and Malacky districts, near the Austrian border.\n\nFor Hungary, the Slovak interior ministry said it will temporarily close 16 border crossings to ease pressure on police and border staff while veterinarians continue to monitor the situation in the field and the disposal of infected animals.\n\nFoot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease of livestock, mainly affects cattle but can also infect swine, sheep and goats.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Inspections against foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia have caused traffic jams on the D2 highway heading towards the Czech Republic.<\/p>\n<p>Officials reported that tailbacks on both lanes were approximately 12 kilometres long, with Slovak police warning the situation could get worse. <\/p>\n<p>Police said they have advised motorists to use smaller border crossings to travel to the Czech Republic, although drivers should still expect delays there.<\/p>\n<p>In late March, Slovakia declared a state of emergency in a bid to rid the country of foot-and-mouth disease after an outbreak of three cases in separate premises housing cattle.<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, new cases were reported, bringing the total number of affected sites to six.<\/p>\n<p>A fresh outbreak of the disease was also detected in Hungary, some 15 kilometres from the Slovak border near Bratislava.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9142494,9172136\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//03//26//slovakia-declares-state-of-emergency-over-foot-and-mouth-disease-cases/">Slovakia declares state of emergency over foot and mouth disease cases<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//04//06//austria-closes-off-24-border-crossings-with-hungary-slovakia-after-foot-and-mouth-disease-/">Austria shuts dozens of border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia due to foot-and-mouth outbreak<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Border checks and closures<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile on Monday, the Slovakian government said it had reintroduced temporary border checks with Hungary and Austria in response to the escalating outbreak.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The measure, which came into effect on Tuesday, will remain in place until 8 May, according to Interior Minister Mat\u00fa\u0161 \u0160utaj E\u0161tok.<\/p>\n<p>\"Although the presence of foot-and-mouth disease has not been confirmed in Austria, the measure is necessary due to the proximity of outbreak areas,\" he said. <\/p>\n<p>Cases of the disease were reported in the Dunajsk\u00e1 Streda and Malacky districts, near the Austrian border.<\/p>\n<p>For Hungary, the Slovak interior ministry said it will temporarily <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////tvnoviny.sk//domace//clanok//961465-slovensko-uzatvori-17-malych-hranicnych-priechodov-na-hraniciach-s-madarskom-a-rakuskom-sprisnujeme-kontroly-mapa/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\">close<\/a> 16 border crossings to ease pressure on police and border staff while veterinarians continue to monitor the situation in the field and the disposal of infected animals.<\/p>\n<p>Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease of livestock, mainly affects cattle but can also infect swine, sheep and goats.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1744104641,"updatedAt":1746523960,"publishedAt":1744117580,"firstPublishedAt":1744117580,"lastPublishedAt":1744117580,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/17\/87\/30\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c6d8fb3b-ce59-536f-a08a-af98068264dc-9178730.jpg","altText":"Trucks queue on the road leading to the border crossing between Hungary and Slovakia at Rajka, 27 March, 2025","caption":"Trucks queue on the road leading to the border crossing between Hungary and Slovakia at Rajka, 27 March, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"MTVA - Media Service Support and Asset Management Fund","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":957,"urlSafeValue":"fisayo","title":"Jerry Fisayo-Bambi","twitter":"@fisayobambi"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":20684,"slug":"traffic-jam","urlSafeValue":"traffic-jam","title":"traffic jam","titleRaw":"traffic jam"},{"id":8235,"slug":"disease","urlSafeValue":"disease","title":"Disease","titleRaw":"Disease"},{"id":14578,"slug":"inspection","urlSafeValue":"inspection","title":"inspection","titleRaw":"inspection"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2777936},{"id":2776552},{"id":2780060}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/11\/57\/74\/09\/ED_PYR_1157749_20250408141650.mp4","editor":"","duration":60480,"filesizeBytes":11724255,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/11\/57\/74\/09\/SHD_PYR_1157749_20250408141650.mp4","editor":"","duration":60480,"filesizeBytes":16693265,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/11\/57\/74\/09\/FHD_PYR_1157749_20250408141650.mp4","editor":"","duration":60480,"filesizeBytes":49555679,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/04\/08\/inspections-on-trucks-from-slovakia-over-foot-and-mouth-disease-cause-gridlock","lastModified":1744117580},{"id":2780060,"cid":9167726,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA PROTESTS NGO LAW","daletPyramidId":1066842,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Thousands of Slovaks protest against Russian-style law targeting NGOs","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Thousands of Slovaks protest against Russian-style law targeting NGOs","titleListing2":"Thousands of Slovaks protest against Russian-style law targeting NGOs","leadin":"Citizens across Slovakia have been protesting for months over Prime Minister Robert Fico's shift towards Russia and away from the EU.","summary":"Citizens across Slovakia have been protesting for months over Prime Minister Robert Fico's shift towards Russia and away from the EU.","keySentence":"","url":"thousands-of-slovaks-protest-against-russian-style-law-targeting-ngos","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/04\/04\/thousands-of-slovaks-protest-against-russian-style-law-targeting-ngos","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Protesters have taken to the streets again in Slovakia's capital to demonstrate against a draft law targeting NGOs, which has raised concerns of a Russian-style crackdown.\n\nThousands of people marched through Bratislava on Thursday and gathered outside parliament, chanting \"We won't give up freedom\" and \"No to the Russian law\". \n\nRallies also took place in several other cities, as part of a wider months-long protest movement against Prime Minister Robert Fico's pivot away from the EU and towards Moscow. \n\nThe bill proposes that certain NGOs be labelled as lobbyists and face administrative obligations such as disclosures over income and spending, as well as donors' identities. \n\nHowever, the draft legislation does not give a clear definition of what constitutes lobbying, according to Via Iuris, an NGO that has analysed the bill.\n\nThe NGO said the draft law violates Slovakia's constitution and European Union rules and is designed to \"stigmatise and limit the activities of civic groups\".\n\n\"This isn\u2019t transparency \u2014 it\u2019s surveillance,\" said Eva Kov\u00e1\u010dechov\u00e1, a lawyer for Via Iuris.\n\nThe bill was tabled by the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) \u2014 one of the three parties in Fico's coalition government \u2014 and has been fast-tracked through parliament. The draft law has the support of the government and is set to be voted on next week. \n\nFico's administration has said that the law is meant to increase transparency around the financing and functioning of civic groups. In videos shared on his Facebook page this week, Fico said: \"Stop scaring Slovaks with illusions, we do not accept any Russian laws.\"\n\nRussia first introduced its foreign agents law in 2012, and has increasingly widened its scope to crack down on dissent \u2014 especially since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The legislation requires organisations and individuals involved in vaguely defined political activity and who receive assistance from abroad to register as \"foreign agents\".\n\nGeorgia passed a similar law last year, sparking massive protests, while Hungary passed such legislation in 2017, but repealed it in 2021 after an EU court ruled that it was illegal.\n\nFurther protests are scheduled for Friday across Slovakia, which has seen regular rallies since late December after Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. \n\nFollowing that visit, Fico raised the possibility of Slovakia leaving the EU and NATO, which caused concern among large swathes of Slovak society that are staunchly pro-Western.\n\nFico's government has been repeatedly accused by civil society groups and the opposition of attacking democratic values and institutions, justice and the rule of law.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nSeveral political analysts and activists told Euronews last month that they believed Fico was trying to mobilise pro-Russian voters to cement his grip on power and marginalise the fragmented opposition in an attempt to govern the country without proper oversight.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Protesters have taken to the streets again in Slovakia's capital to demonstrate against a draft law targeting NGOs, which has raised concerns of a Russian-style crackdown.<\/p>\n<p>Thousands of people marched through Bratislava on Thursday and gathered outside parliament, chanting \"We won't give up freedom\" and \"No to the Russian law\". <\/p>\n<p>Rallies also took place in several other cities, as part of a wider months-long protest movement against Prime Minister Robert Fico's pivot away from the EU and towards Moscow. <\/p>\n<p>The bill proposes that certain NGOs be labelled as lobbyists and face administrative obligations such as disclosures over income and spending, as well as donors' identities. <\/p>\n<p>However, the draft legislation does not give a clear definition of what constitutes lobbying, according to Via Iuris, an NGO that has analysed the bill.<\/p>\n<p>The NGO said the draft law violates Slovakia's constitution and European Union rules and is designed to \"stigmatise and limit the activities of civic groups\".<\/p>\n<p>\"This isn\u2019t transparency \u2014 it\u2019s surveillance,\" said Eva Kov\u00e1\u010dechov\u00e1, a lawyer for Via Iuris.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9132614,9117310\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//03//22//thousands-of-slovaks-protest-in-bratislava-against-pm-robert-fico-and-his-russia-friendly-/">Thousands of Slovaks protest in Bratislava against PM Robert Fico and his Russia-friendly policies<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//03//21//slovakia-at-critical-crossroads-as-months-of-protest-threaten-pro-moscow-fico/">Slovakia at 'critical crossroads' as months of protest threaten pro-Moscow Fico<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The bill was tabled by the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS) \u2014 one of the three parties in Fico's coalition government \u2014 and has been fast-tracked through parliament. The draft law has the support of the government and is set to be voted on next week. <\/p>\n<p>Fico's administration has said that the law is meant to increase transparency around the financing and functioning of civic groups. In videos shared on his Facebook page this week, Fico said: \"Stop scaring Slovaks with illusions, we do not accept any Russian laws.\"<\/p>\n<p>Russia first introduced its foreign agents law in 2012, and has increasingly widened its scope to crack down on dissent \u2014 especially since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The legislation requires organisations and individuals involved in vaguely defined political activity and who receive assistance from abroad to register as \"foreign agents\".<\/p>\n<p>Georgia passed a similar law last year, sparking massive protests, while Hungary passed such legislation in 2017, but repealed it in 2021 after an EU court ruled that it was illegal.<\/p>\n<p>Further protests are scheduled for Friday across Slovakia, which has seen regular rallies since late December after Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. <\/p>\n<p>Following that visit, Fico raised the possibility of Slovakia leaving the EU and NATO, which caused concern among large swathes of Slovak society that are staunchly pro-Western.<\/p>\n<p>Fico's government has been repeatedly accused by civil society groups and the opposition of attacking democratic values and institutions, justice and the rule of law.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Several political analysts and activists <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//03//21//slovakia-at-critical-crossroads-as-months-of-protest-threaten-pro-moscow-fico/">told Euronews<\/a> last month that they believed Fico was trying to mobilise pro-Russian voters to cement his grip on power and marginalise the fragmented opposition in an attempt to govern the country without proper oversight.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1743753691,"updatedAt":1743762150,"publishedAt":1743758137,"firstPublishedAt":1743758137,"lastPublishedAt":1743758137,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/16\/77\/26\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_80bc6aec-8196-5290-b704-11fddb8ecbb2-9167726.jpg","altText":"People march during a protest to condemn a draft legislation that critics consider \u201dliquidating\u201d for many non-government organisations in Bratislava Thursday, April 3, 2025.","caption":"People march during a protest to condemn a draft legislation that critics consider \u201dliquidating\u201d for many non-government organisations in Bratislava Thursday, April 3, 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":575}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3238,"urlSafeValue":"guilbert","title":"Kieran Guilbert","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":4378,"slug":"protest","urlSafeValue":"protest","title":"Protest","titleRaw":"Protest"},{"id":211,"slug":"ngo","urlSafeValue":"ngo","title":"NGO","titleRaw":"NGO"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2736528},{"id":2781912},{"id":2790970}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"AP","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":{"id":1750,"urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/04\/04\/thousands-of-slovaks-protest-against-russian-style-law-targeting-ngos","lastModified":1743758137},{"id":2775750,"cid":9142494,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA BORDER DISINFECTION","daletPyramidId":979747,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovakia declares state of emergency over foot and mouth disease cases","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovakia declares state of emergency over foot and mouth disease cases","titleListing2":"After at least four cases of the disease were detected, there are rising concerns about potential shortages of milk and meat.","leadin":"After at least four cases of the disease were detected, there are rising concerns about potential shortages of milk and meat.","summary":"After at least four cases of the disease were detected, there are rising concerns about potential shortages of milk and meat.","keySentence":"","url":"slovakia-declares-state-of-emergency-over-foot-and-mouth-disease-cases","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/03\/26\/slovakia-declares-state-of-emergency-over-foot-and-mouth-disease-cases","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"As Slovakia continues its effort to rid itself of foot-and-mouth disease, authorities have declared a state of emergency across the whole country.\n\nA new outbreak of the disease has been detected in Hungary, approximately 15 kilometres from the Slovak border near Bratislava. \n\nDisinfection mats have been installed at Hungarian border crossings, veterinarians are monitoring the situation in the field, and the disposal of infected animals is ongoing.\n\nMinister of Agriculture Richard Tak\u00e1\u010d provided details about the situation during a press conference.\n\n\"In Hungary, another farm has been confirmed to have the viral disease foot-and-mouth,\" he said. \"It is situated 40 kilometres from the first farm where the virus was confirmed in Hungary on 6 March.\"\n\nTak\u00e1\u010d has also confirmed a fourth case of the disease in a livestock farm in the Slovak village of L\u00fa\u010d na Ostrove.\n\nPresident Peter Pellegrini called for a strict adherence to measures to stop the outbreaks from exploding into a full-blown epidemic, which could trigger shortages of milk and meat.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>As Slovakia continues its effort to rid itself of foot-and-mouth disease, authorities have declared a state of emergency across the whole country.<\/p>\n<p>A new outbreak of the disease has been detected in Hungary, approximately 15 kilometres from the Slovak border near Bratislava. <\/p>\n<p>Disinfection mats have been installed at Hungarian border crossings, veterinarians are monitoring the situation in the field, and the disposal of infected animals is ongoing.<\/p>\n<p>Minister of Agriculture Richard Tak\u00e1\u010d provided details about the situation during a press conference.<\/p>\n<p>\"In Hungary, another farm has been confirmed to have the viral disease foot-and-mouth,\" he said. \"It is situated 40 kilometres from the first farm where the virus was confirmed in Hungary on 6 March.\"<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8969124,8964640\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//01//11//first-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak-in-germany-for-35-years/">First foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Germany for 35 years<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//01//14//pre-emptive-culling-continues-as-berlin-battles-first-outbreak-of-foot-and-mouth-disease-i/">Pre-emptive culling continues as Berlin battles first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in 35 years<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Tak\u00e1\u010d has also confirmed a fourth case of the disease in a livestock farm in the Slovak village of L\u00fa\u010d na Ostrove.<\/p>\n<p>President Peter Pellegrini called for a strict adherence to measures to stop the outbreaks from exploding into a full-blown epidemic, which could trigger shortages of milk and meat.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1742991794,"updatedAt":1746523960,"publishedAt":1742996166,"firstPublishedAt":1742996166,"lastPublishedAt":1742996476,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/14\/24\/94\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_df10248e-9dbc-55e3-b7ff-04b9b6d5a021-9142494.jpg","altText":"Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, centre, and Agriculture Minister Richard Tak\u00e1\u010d, left, visit a farm in western Slovakia,","caption":"Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, centre, and Agriculture Minister Richard Tak\u00e1\u010d, left, visit a farm in western Slovakia,","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Jaroslav Novak\/TASR via AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1819,"height":1023}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[{"id":2726,"urlSafeValue":"armstrong-r","title":"Rory Elliott Armstrong","twitter":null}]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":23342,"slug":"foot-and-mouth-disease","urlSafeValue":"foot-and-mouth-disease","title":"Foot and mouth disease","titleRaw":"Foot and mouth disease"},{"id":26880,"slug":"etat-de-siege","urlSafeValue":"etat-de-siege","title":"state of emergency","titleRaw":"state of emergency"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"DFrWfoyqM64","dailymotionId":"x9gtwvs"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/10\/54\/51\/06\/ED_PYR_1054516_20250326145058.mp4","editor":"","duration":43040,"filesizeBytes":9462812,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/10\/54\/51\/06\/SHD_PYR_1054516_20250326145058.mp4","editor":"","duration":43040,"filesizeBytes":12847214,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/10\/54\/51\/06\/FHD_PYR_1054516_20250326145058.mp4","editor":"","duration":43040,"filesizeBytes":35519802,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"EBU","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/03\/26\/slovakia-declares-state-of-emergency-over-foot-and-mouth-disease-cases","lastModified":1742996476},{"id":2773754,"cid":9132614,"versionId":4,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA PROTESTS FRI EVENING","daletPyramidId":943227,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Thousands of Slovaks protest in Bratislava against PM Robert Fico and his Russia-friendly policies","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Thousands protest against PM Fico and his pro-Russian policies","titleListing2":"Thousands of Slovaks protest in Bratislava against PM Robert Fico and his Russia-friendly policies","leadin":"Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Slovakia to participate in regular demonstrations against incumbent Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian policies.","summary":"Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Slovakia to participate in regular demonstrations against incumbent Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian policies.","keySentence":"","url":"thousands-of-slovaks-protest-in-bratislava-against-pm-robert-fico-and-his-russia-friendly-","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/03\/22\/thousands-of-slovaks-protest-in-bratislava-against-pm-robert-fico-and-his-russia-friendly-","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Large crowds again took to the streets across Slovakia on Friday to voice their opposition to Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian policies.\n\nOver the last three months, tens of thousands of people have rallied every fortnight in Bratislava and beyond, demanding Fico's resignation.\n\nThe protests began in late December after Fico\u2019s trip to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare visit to the Kremlin by a European Union leader since Moscow\u2019s all-out invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago and his remarks that Slovakia might consider leaving the 27-nation EU and NATO.\n\nFico, who survived an assassination attempt in May 2024, has faced calls to resign over his comments about future EU and NATO membership and his claim that Russia had security reasons to invade Ukraine.\n\nFico's anti-EU turn\n\nOne of the most surprising aspects of the protests, according to analysts, is that they have not been confined to major cities but have also taken place in areas where support for Fico's ruling leftist-nationalist Smer (Direction) party is particularly strong.\u00a0\n\nThe demonstrations happening in Smer strongholds could cause a headache for Fico given that his party won 2023 parliamentary elections by campaigning on a pro-Russian platform and focusing on previously untapped anti-state and anti-establishment voters.\n\nThat represented a significant shift for the 60-year-old, who started his three-decade political career on the left and previously said Slovakia should be at the \"core of the EU\".\u00a0\n\nThe turning point came in 2018 when journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak \u2014 who had been investigating high-level graft \u2014 and his fiancee Martina Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1 were murdered by a contract killer, triggering huge protests that forced Fico to resign from his third spell as prime minister.\n\nSmer lost power in the 2020 parliamentary elections, defeated by parties vowing to tackle corruption. With the party marginalised, it polled at under 10% at one point. But Fico eventually started adopting more extreme positions and espousing pro-Moscow rhetoric that attracted many Slovaks.\n\nFico was prime Minister from 2012 to 2018. He resigned in 2018 less than three weeks after the murder of an investigative reporter \u2013 who was looking at possible government corruption \u2013 sparked public outcry and triggered nationwide protests.\n\nHe returned to power in 2023 after his Smer party won a parliamentary election. Since his return, he\u2019s ended Bratislava's military and financial support for Kyiv, criticised EU sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.\n\nHe\u2019s also declared Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a national enemy, after the Ukrainian leader ended the transit of Russian gas through his country following the expiration of a five year deal.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Large crowds again took to the streets across Slovakia on Friday to voice their opposition to Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian policies.<\/p>\n<p>Over the last three months, tens of thousands of people have rallied every fortnight in Bratislava and beyond, demanding Fico's resignation.<\/p>\n<p>The protests began in late December after Fico\u2019s trip to Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare visit to the Kremlin by a European Union leader since Moscow\u2019s all-out invasion of Ukraine began more than three years ago and his remarks that Slovakia might consider leaving the 27-nation EU and NATO.<\/p>\n<p>Fico, who survived an assassination attempt in May 2024, has faced calls to resign over his comments about future EU and NATO membership and his claim that Russia had security reasons to invade Ukraine.<\/p>\n<h2>Fico's anti-EU turn<\/h2>\n<p>One of the most surprising aspects of the protests, according to analysts, is that they have not been confined to major cities but have also taken place in areas where support for Fico's ruling leftist-nationalist Smer (Direction) party is particularly strong.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The demonstrations happening in Smer strongholds could cause a headache for Fico given that his party won 2023 parliamentary elections by campaigning on a pro-Russian platform and focusing on previously untapped anti-state and anti-establishment voters.<\/p>\n<p>That represented a significant shift for the 60-year-old, who started his three-decade political career on the left and previously said Slovakia should be at the \"core of the EU\".\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The turning point came in 2018 when journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak \u2014 who had been investigating high-level graft \u2014 and his fiancee Martina Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1 were murdered by a contract killer, triggering huge protests that forced Fico to resign from his third spell as prime minister.<\/p>\n<p>Smer lost power in the 2020 parliamentary elections, defeated by parties vowing to tackle corruption. With the party marginalised, it polled at under 10% at one point. But Fico eventually started adopting more extreme positions and espousing pro-Moscow rhetoric that attracted many Slovaks.<\/p>\n<p>Fico was prime Minister from 2012 to 2018. He resigned in 2018 less than three weeks after the murder of an investigative reporter \u2013 who was looking at possible government corruption \u2013 sparked public outcry and triggered nationwide protests.<\/p>\n<p>He returned to power in 2023 after his Smer party won a parliamentary election. Since his return, he\u2019s ended Bratislava's military and financial support for Kyiv, criticised EU sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s also declared Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a national enemy, after the Ukrainian leader ended the transit of Russian gas through his country following the expiration of a five year deal.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1742616464,"updatedAt":1742623048,"publishedAt":1742618528,"firstPublishedAt":1742618528,"lastPublishedAt":1742623048,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/13\/26\/14\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_65494951-e76a-544d-a2fd-059db2370c7a-9132614.jpg","altText":"People gather to take part at a protest called \"Slovakia is Europe\" in Bratislava Friday, March 7, 2025","caption":"People gather to take part at a protest called \"Slovakia is Europe\" in Bratislava Friday, March 7, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Jakub Kotian\/Tlacova agentura SR","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":819,"height":460}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"fouda","title":"Malek Fouda","twitter":"themalekfouda"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":27110,"slug":"protestas","urlSafeValue":"protestas","title":"Protests","titleRaw":"Protests"}],"widgets":[],"related":[{"id":2767046},{"id":2790970}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"f5KbDILjpSQ","dailymotionId":"x9gkfk8"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/10\/22\/24\/07\/ED_PYR_1022247.mp4","editor":"","duration":70000,"filesizeBytes":12729017,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/10\/22\/24\/07\/SHD_PYR_1022247.mp4","editor":"","duration":70000,"filesizeBytes":17955232,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/10\/22\/24\/07\/FHD_PYR_1022247.mp4","editor":"","duration":70000,"filesizeBytes":55319826,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/03\/22\/thousands-of-slovaks-protest-in-bratislava-against-pm-robert-fico-and-his-russia-friendly-","lastModified":1742623048},{"id":2770538,"cid":9117310,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"250315_NWSU_57867630","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA PROTESTS FICO","daletPyramidId":null,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovakia at 'critical crossroads' as months of protest threaten pro-Moscow Fico","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovakia at 'critical crossroads' as protests threaten pro-Moscow Fico","titleListing2":"A growing protest movement in Slovakia is pressuring PM Robert Fico and reaffirming the value of the EU as the government tilts towards Russia.","leadin":"The protest movement aims to reaffirm the EU's importance for Slovakia as the country's government tilts towards Russia.","summary":"The protest movement aims to reaffirm the EU's importance for Slovakia as the country's government tilts towards Russia.","keySentence":"","url":"slovakia-at-critical-crossroads-as-months-of-protest-threaten-pro-moscow-fico","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/03\/21\/slovakia-at-critical-crossroads-as-months-of-protest-threaten-pro-moscow-fico","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"As massive anti-government demonstrations in Slovakia reach the three-month mark, protest organisers and political observers alike say that the country is at a crossroads in the face of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico's turn away from the EU and towards Moscow.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\nOn Friday, crowds will take to the streets across the country once again to voice their discontent with Fico, who has pivoted to the east since taking office for a fourth time in October 2023. Since then, critics have decried his government as increasingly authoritarian and repressive.\u00a0\n\n\"The sense is that on many issues, the government is trying to cross the line when it comes to the rule of law or civil society, and that by organising, protesting or taking legal action, these steps can be slowed down or stopped,\" said Jana Kobzov\u00e1, a Slovak political scientist and visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).\n\nThe protests began in late December after Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, making him one of only three EU leaders to do so since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.\n\nSlovakia\u2019s premier had already wooed the Kremlin by halting military aid to Ukraine and vowing to thwart its NATO aspirations, while opposing EU sanctions on Russia.\u00a0\n\nAbout a month after that visit, Fico raised the possibility of Slovakia leaving the EU and NATO and referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as \"an enemy\", raising further alarm among large swathes of Slovak society who are staunchly pro-Western.\u00a0\n\nHis views are well out of line with public opinion: nearly two-thirds of Slovaks align with the West, according to a survey published this month by the Future Slovakia Forum, an NGO advocating for a \"stronger EU\".\n\nLocal media outlets estimated that about 100,000 people in the country of 5.4 million took to the streets in late January, representing Slovakia\u2019s biggest street demonstrations since the 1989 Velvet Revolution, when decades of communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia ended peacefully weeks after the Berlin Wall fell.\n\nOver the last three months, tens of thousands of people have rallied every fortnight in Bratislava and beyond, demanding Fico\u2019s resignation with the slogan \"Slovakia is Europe\". Protests have also taken place in cities such as Berlin, Brussels and London.\u00a0\n\nWhile attendance numbers have fallen since, the civic group orchestrating the protests, Mier Ukrajine (Peace for Ukraine), says there is still momentum behind the movement and that Slovakia\u2019s stronger-than-ever civil society is \"ready to defend democracy\".\n\n\"The protests have evolved from one-time gatherings into a systematic movement aimed at maintaining pressure on the government and keeping public debate alive about the country\u2019s direction,\" Lucia Stasselov\u00e1, one of the group's founders, told Euronews.\n\nThe Slovakia information ministry and the prime minister's office did not respond to requests for comment.\n\nIn late January, Fico accused the opposition of trying to \"organise a coup\" as the anti-government demonstrations escalated, but did not present any evidence of this.\n\nThe prime minister said at the time he would \"let them (people in Slovakia) protest and shout as much as they want\", but criticised unspecified \"atrocities\" allegedly being prepared by the opposition, Slovak media and NGOs funded from abroad.\n\nFico's anti-EU turn\n\nOne of the most surprising aspects of the protests, according to analysts, is that they have not been confined to major cities but have also taken place in areas where support for Fico's ruling leftist-nationalist Smer (Direction) party is particularly strong.\u00a0\n\n\"The protests are spreading to smaller towns, which is not usual in Slovakia,\" Juraj Maru\u0161iak, a political scientist at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, told Euronews. \"The mobilisation of participants in such regions, where Smer and its allies usually have a comfortable majority, is also a breakthrough.\"\n\nThe demonstrations happening in Smer strongholds could cause a headache for Fico given that his party won 2023 parliamentary elections by campaigning on a pro-Russian platform and focusing on previously untapped anti-state and anti-establishment voters.\n\nThat represented a significant shift for the 60-year-old, who started his three-decade political career on the left and previously said Slovakia should be at the \"core of the EU\".\u00a0\n\nThe turning point came in 2018 when journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak \u2014 who had been investigating high-level graft \u2014 and his fiancee Martina Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1 were murdered by a contract killer, triggering huge protests that forced Fico to resign from his third spell as prime minister.\n\n\"(Fico) had been a staunch supporter of Europe up until his forced resignation following the murders of Kuciak and Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1,\" said Samo Marec, a Slovak columnist and author.\n\n\"His pro-Russian, authoritarian and pro-conspiracy turn has thus been years in the making.\"\n\nSmer lost power in the 2020 parliamentary elections, defeated by parties vowing to tackle corruption. With the party marginalised, it polled at under 10% at one point. But Fico eventually started adopting more extreme positions and espousing pro-Moscow rhetoric that attracted many Slovaks.\n\nAccording to a recent poll by the agency Focus, almost half of Smer voters are in favour of closer bilateral ties with Russia \u2014 the highest proportion of supporters of any Slovak party.\u00a0\n\n\"I think Fico is trying to balance between Europe and Russia, while being aware of Slovakia's embeddedness in the EU,\" said Maru\u0161iak.\n\nHe compared Fico\u2019s position with that of Hungary\u2019s Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, who has been the main EU critic and antagonist within the bloc, as well as Putin\u2019s most ardent ally.\u00a0\n\n\"(Fico's) main objective is to stay in power for as long as possible and to prevent a repeat of the events of 2018,\" Maru\u0161iak added. \"That is why he is trying to mobilise the pro-Russian part of society, as this is the segment where he can still draw voters.\"\n\nSmer did not respond to emailed questions from Euronews.\n\nA 'Slovak Maidan'?\n\nUnder his increasingly authoritarian drift, Fico\u2019s three-party coalition government, which is led by Smer and supported by the left-wing populist Hlas party and the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), has been accused by civil society groups and the opposition of attacking democratic values and institutions, justice and the rule of law.\u00a0\u00a0\n\nHis administration has shelved the Special Prosecutor\u2019s Office \u2014 which handled high-profile graft cases \u2014 reformed the penal code to soften penalties for corruption, and transformed the public broadcaster into what is now widely considered to be a state-controlled operation.\n\nThese and other policies that have drawn severe criticism from civil society, not least since several of Fico\u2019s associates and people linked to Smer, including its politicians, face prosecution in corruption scandals.\n\nSlovakia dropped 12 places in Transparency\u2019s International\u2019s latest annual Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranked it 59th out of 180 countries analysed. \n\nThis was due to the government\u2019s political appointments, bypassing of legislative procedures and undermining of independent institutions and media, as well as attacks against NGOs, the watchdog said.\n\nStasselov\u00e1 said Fico\u2019s goal was to \"weaken the rule of law, control the media, and marginalise the opposition so that he can govern without real oversight\".\n\nAn assassination attempt against Fico last May, in which he suffered multiple wounds after being shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters, appears to have entrenched his hostile rhetoric towards civil society, the media and the opposition.\u00a0\n\nIn January, hundreds of Slovak psychiatrists and psychologists wrote an open letter to Fico in which they raised concern about his government's impact on the nation\u2019s democracy and global standing. \n\nIn the letter, the health professionals said the \"aggressiveness and emotional explosiveness in your public appearances have become more pronounced after the assassination attempt\".\n\nFico responded to the letter in a Facebook post, accusing the authors of disrespect and claiming they would support a \"Slovak Maidan, which the Slovak opposition, with the full support of foreign-funded NGOs and the anti-Slovak media, is working hard on\".\n\nAnd last month, Slovakia\u2019s PM shared on X a letter he penned to Elon Musk, praising the tech billionaire and key ally of US President Donald Trump for dismantling the US Agency for International Development, or USAID. \n\nFico said the agency\u2019s funds had been used to \"distort the political system and favour specific political parties\", but did not provide any evidence of this.\n\nCoalition chaos\n\nWhile the protesters are calling for Fico to step down, he is unlikely to leave power anytime soon. Several analysts and activists told Euronews that he is benefiting from the disjointed state of the Slovak opposition.\n\n\"I think the opposition has a problem that it is only reacting to the government's activities,\" said Maru\u0161iak.\u00a0\"The fact is that there is no clear political response and there is also no initiative on the part of the opposition, since Smer, unlike the opposition, is prepared for possible early elections,\" he added.\n\nThis was echoed by Stasselov\u00e1, who said the opposition \"must offer real solutions and become more proactive\", rather than waiting for the government to slip up.\u00a0\n\nFico's parliamentary coalition is not impervious. Since the end of last year, it has been rocked by the defection of three SNS lawmakers and the rebellion of four Hlas politicians against the government; two of them were expelled from the party.\n\nWhile the government holds 79 seats in the 150-seat parliament, the disputes and defections at one point left it without a clear majority.\u00a0\n\nFico\u2019s grip on power was tested further in mid-January when opposition parties attempted to initiate a no-confidence vote against the government.\u00a0\n\nYet the motion was withdrawn after Fico demanded that half the parliamentary session be made private on the grounds he was sharing confidential information.\n\nMichal \u0160ime\u010dka, leader of the main opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, accused Fico of being \"afraid to discuss his failures,\" and said he would be preparing to bring the vote again soon.\u00a0\n\nAmid the turmoil, Fico said last month that the government had regained its slim majority after a deal with the coalition partners to reshuffle the cabinet and boost Smer\u2019s power.\n\nNevertheless, the government will continue to face pressure over economic instability, declining living standards relative to other EU member states, and Fico\u2019s unpopular turn towards Moscow.\n\nBut while the protesters will keep playing their part, more action is needed, said Stasselov\u00e1.\n\n\"Protests are just one tool \u2014 we need pressure from all sides: the media, civil society, and even international actors,\" she said. \n\n\"Slovakia is at a critical crossroads, and its future direction is being decided right now.\"\n\n","htmlText":"<p>As massive anti-government demonstrations in Slovakia reach the three-month mark, protest organisers and political observers alike say that the country is at a crossroads in the face of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico's turn away from the EU and towards Moscow.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>On Friday, crowds will take to the streets across the country once again to voice their discontent with Fico, who has pivoted to the east since taking office for a fourth time in October 2023. Since then, critics have decried his government as increasingly authoritarian and repressive.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"The sense is that on many issues, the government is trying to cross the line when it comes to the rule of law or civil society, and that by organising, protesting or taking legal action, these steps can be slowed down or stopped,\" said Jana Kobzov\u00e1, a Slovak political scientist and visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).<\/p>\n<p>The protests began in late December after Fico met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, making him one of only three EU leaders to do so since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Slovakia\u2019s premier had already wooed the Kremlin by halting military aid to Ukraine and vowing to thwart its NATO aspirations, while opposing EU sanctions on Russia.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8997458,8960320\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//01//09//slovakia-ramps-up-anti-zelenskyy-rhetoric-amid-russian-gas-transit-spat/">Slovakia ramps up anti-Zelenskyy rhetoric amid Russian gas transit spat<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//01//23//slovak-pm-fico-accuses-opposition-of-coup-attempt-following-protests-and-no-confidence-mot/">Slovak PM Fico accuses opposition of 'coup attempt' following protests and no-confidence motion<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>About a month after that visit, Fico raised the possibility of Slovakia leaving the EU and NATO and referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as \"an enemy\", raising further alarm among large swathes of Slovak society who are staunchly pro-Western.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>His views are well out of line with public opinion: nearly two-thirds of Slovaks align with the West, according to a survey published this month by the Future Slovakia Forum, an NGO advocating for a \"stronger EU\".<\/p>\n<p>Local media outlets estimated that about 100,000 people in the country of 5.4 million took to the streets in late January, representing Slovakia\u2019s biggest street demonstrations since the 1989 Velvet Revolution, when decades of communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia ended peacefully weeks after the Berlin Wall fell.<\/p>\n<p>Over the last three months, tens of thousands of people have rallied every fortnight in Bratislava and beyond, demanding Fico\u2019s resignation with the slogan \"Slovakia is Europe\". Protests have also taken place in cities such as Berlin, Brussels and London.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-quotation\n widget--size-fullwidth\n widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__content\">\n <blockquote class=\"widget__quote\">\n <span class=\"widget__quoteText\">Slovakia is at a critical crossroads, and its future direction is being decided right now.<\/span>\n <\/blockquote>\n <cite class=\"widget__author\">\n <div class=\"widget__authorText\">\n Lucia Stasselov\u00e1\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"widget__author_descriptionText\">\n Co-founder of Mier Ukrajine (Peace for Ukraine)\n <\/div>\n <\/cite>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>While attendance numbers have fallen since, the civic group orchestrating the protests, Mier Ukrajine (Peace for Ukraine), says there is still momentum behind the movement and that Slovakia\u2019s stronger-than-ever civil society is \"ready to defend democracy\".<\/p>\n<p>\"The protests have evolved from one-time gatherings into a systematic movement aimed at maintaining pressure on the government and keeping public debate alive about the country\u2019s direction,\" Lucia Stasselov\u00e1, one of the group's founders, told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>The Slovakia information ministry and the prime minister's office did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n<p>In late January, Fico accused the opposition of trying to \"organise a coup\" as the anti-government demonstrations escalated, but did not present any evidence of this.<\/p>\n<p>The prime minister said at the time he would \"let them (people in Slovakia) protest and shout as much as they want\", but criticised unspecified \"atrocities\" allegedly being prepared by the opposition, Slovak media and NGOs funded from abroad.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5621181262729125\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//11//73//10//808x454_cmsv2_88a1fc04-6133-5f87-aba3-af6108d5a850-9117310.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico addresses a media conference at the end of an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/384x216_cmsv2_88a1fc04-6133-5f87-aba3-af6108d5a850-9117310.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/640x360_cmsv2_88a1fc04-6133-5f87-aba3-af6108d5a850-9117310.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/750x422_cmsv2_88a1fc04-6133-5f87-aba3-af6108d5a850-9117310.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/828x465_cmsv2_88a1fc04-6133-5f87-aba3-af6108d5a850-9117310.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/1080x607_cmsv2_88a1fc04-6133-5f87-aba3-af6108d5a850-9117310.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/1200x675_cmsv2_88a1fc04-6133-5f87-aba3-af6108d5a850-9117310.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/1920x1079_cmsv2_88a1fc04-6133-5f87-aba3-af6108d5a850-9117310.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico addresses a media conference at the end of an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Omar Havana\/Copyright 2024 The AP. All rights reserved<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Fico's anti-EU turn<\/h2>\n<p>One of the most surprising aspects of the protests, according to analysts, is that they have not been confined to major cities but have also taken place in areas where support for Fico's ruling leftist-nationalist Smer (Direction) party is particularly strong.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"The protests are spreading to smaller towns, which is not usual in Slovakia,\" Juraj Maru\u0161iak, a political scientist at the Slovak Academy of Sciences, told Euronews. \"The mobilisation of participants in such regions, where Smer and its allies usually have a comfortable majority, is also a breakthrough.\"<\/p>\n<p>The demonstrations happening in Smer strongholds could cause a headache for Fico given that his party won 2023 parliamentary elections by campaigning on a pro-Russian platform and focusing on previously untapped anti-state and anti-establishment voters.<\/p>\n<p>That represented a significant shift for the 60-year-old, who started his three-decade political career on the left and previously said Slovakia should be at the \"core of the EU\".\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The turning point came in 2018 when journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak \u2014 who had been investigating high-level graft \u2014 and his fiancee Martina Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1 were murdered by a contract killer, triggering huge protests that forced Fico to resign from his third spell as prime minister.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5615234375\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//11//73//10//808x454_cmsv2_0164ad59-c317-58bf-a656-42b9fd832179-9117310.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: People gather in Bratislava, Slovakia on Friday Feb. 21, 2025, to mark the seventh anniversary of the slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/384x216_cmsv2_0164ad59-c317-58bf-a656-42b9fd832179-9117310.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/640x359_cmsv2_0164ad59-c317-58bf-a656-42b9fd832179-9117310.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/750x421_cmsv2_0164ad59-c317-58bf-a656-42b9fd832179-9117310.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/828x465_cmsv2_0164ad59-c317-58bf-a656-42b9fd832179-9117310.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/1080x606_cmsv2_0164ad59-c317-58bf-a656-42b9fd832179-9117310.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/1200x674_cmsv2_0164ad59-c317-58bf-a656-42b9fd832179-9117310.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/1920x1078_cmsv2_0164ad59-c317-58bf-a656-42b9fd832179-9117310.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: People gather in Bratislava, Slovakia on Friday Feb. 21, 2025, to mark the seventh anniversary of the slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Vaclav Salek\/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>\"(Fico) had been a staunch supporter of Europe up until his forced resignation following the murders of Kuciak and Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1,\" said Samo Marec, a Slovak columnist and author.<\/p>\n<p>\"His pro-Russian, authoritarian and pro-conspiracy turn has thus been years in the making.\"<\/p>\n<p>Smer lost power in the 2020 parliamentary elections, defeated by parties vowing to tackle corruption. With the party marginalised, it polled at under 10% at one point. But Fico eventually started adopting more extreme positions and espousing pro-Moscow rhetoric that attracted many Slovaks.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8919278,8914258\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//12//18//slovakias-fico-ukraine-will-not-be-invited-to-join-nato/">Slovakia's Fico: 'Ukraine will not be invited to join NATO'<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//12//16//hungary-and-slovakia-veto-eu-sanctions-on-georgian-officials-as-protests-continue/">Hungary and Slovakia veto EU sanctions on Georgian officials as protests continue<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>According to a recent poll by the agency Focus, almost half of Smer voters are in favour of closer bilateral ties with Russia \u2014 the highest proportion of supporters of any Slovak party.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"I think Fico is trying to balance between Europe and Russia, while being aware of Slovakia's embeddedness in the EU,\" said Maru\u0161iak.<\/p>\n<p>He compared Fico\u2019s position with that of Hungary\u2019s Prime Minister Viktor Orb\u00e1n, who has been the main EU critic and antagonist within the bloc, as well as Putin\u2019s most ardent ally.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\"(Fico's) main objective is to stay in power for as long as possible and to prevent a repeat of the events of 2018,\" Maru\u0161iak added. \"That is why he is trying to mobilise the pro-Russian part of society, as this is the segment where he can still draw voters.\"<\/p>\n<p>Smer did not respond to emailed questions from Euronews.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.5620512820512821\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//11//73//10//808x454_cmsv2_4a108748-2659-5ed1-899a-dedd46e09e83-9117310.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico speak at their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/384x216_cmsv2_4a108748-2659-5ed1-899a-dedd46e09e83-9117310.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/640x360_cmsv2_4a108748-2659-5ed1-899a-dedd46e09e83-9117310.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/750x422_cmsv2_4a108748-2659-5ed1-899a-dedd46e09e83-9117310.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/828x465_cmsv2_4a108748-2659-5ed1-899a-dedd46e09e83-9117310.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/1080x607_cmsv2_4a108748-2659-5ed1-899a-dedd46e09e83-9117310.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/1200x674_cmsv2_4a108748-2659-5ed1-899a-dedd46e09e83-9117310.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/1920x1079_cmsv2_4a108748-2659-5ed1-899a-dedd46e09e83-9117310.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico speak at their meeting in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Alexander Zemlianichenko\/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2><strong>A 'Slovak Maidan'?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Under his increasingly authoritarian drift, Fico\u2019s three-party coalition government, which is led by Smer and supported by the left-wing populist Hlas party and the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), has been accused by civil society groups and the opposition of attacking democratic values and institutions, justice and the rule of law.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>His administration has shelved the Special Prosecutor\u2019s Office \u2014 which handled high-profile graft cases \u2014 reformed the penal code to soften penalties for corruption, and transformed the public broadcaster into what is now widely considered to be a state-controlled operation.<\/p>\n<p>These and other policies that have drawn severe criticism from civil society, not least since several of Fico\u2019s associates and people linked to Smer, including its politicians, face prosecution in corruption scandals.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8649414,8555630\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//08//13//why-discontent-is-spilling-over-onto-slovak-streets-amid-fico-government-reforms/">Why discontent is spilling over onto Slovak streets amid Fico government reforms<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//07//05//slovakias-prime-minister-makes-first-public-appearance-since-may-15-shooting/">Slovakia's Prime Minister makes first public appearance since May 15 shooting<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Slovakia dropped 12 places in Transparency\u2019s International\u2019s latest annual Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranked it 59th out of 180 countries analysed. <\/p>\n<p>This was due to the government\u2019s political appointments, bypassing of legislative procedures and undermining of independent institutions and media, as well as attacks against NGOs, the watchdog said.<\/p>\n<p>Stasselov\u00e1 said Fico\u2019s goal was to \"weaken the rule of law, control the media, and marginalise the opposition so that he can govern without real oversight\".<\/p>\n<p>An assassination attempt against Fico last May, in which he suffered multiple wounds after being shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters, appears to have entrenched his hostile rhetoric towards civil society, the media and the opposition.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//92//22//86//808x539_cmsv2_049de1e1-d7ba-5656-8c68-a1124d6ed6c7-8922286.jpg/" alt=\"FILE: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico using a crutch, arrives to attend a press conference during harvest in the village of Slovenska Nova Ves, Slovakia, Monday, July 8 2024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/92\/22\/86\/384x256_cmsv2_049de1e1-d7ba-5656-8c68-a1124d6ed6c7-8922286.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/92\/22\/86\/640x427_cmsv2_049de1e1-d7ba-5656-8c68-a1124d6ed6c7-8922286.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/92\/22\/86\/750x500_cmsv2_049de1e1-d7ba-5656-8c68-a1124d6ed6c7-8922286.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/92\/22\/86\/828x552_cmsv2_049de1e1-d7ba-5656-8c68-a1124d6ed6c7-8922286.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/92\/22\/86\/1080x720_cmsv2_049de1e1-d7ba-5656-8c68-a1124d6ed6c7-8922286.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/92\/22\/86\/1200x800_cmsv2_049de1e1-d7ba-5656-8c68-a1124d6ed6c7-8922286.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/92\/22\/86\/1920x1281_cmsv2_049de1e1-d7ba-5656-8c68-a1124d6ed6c7-8922286.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">FILE: Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico using a crutch, arrives to attend a press conference during harvest in the village of Slovenska Nova Ves, Slovakia, Monday, July 8 2024<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Jaroslav Novak\/AP<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In January, hundreds of Slovak psychiatrists and psychologists wrote an open letter to Fico in which they raised concern about his government's impact on the nation\u2019s democracy and global standing. <\/p>\n<p>In the letter, the health professionals said the \"aggressiveness and emotional explosiveness in your public appearances have become more pronounced after the assassination attempt\".<\/p>\n<p>Fico responded to the letter in a Facebook post, accusing the authors of disrespect and claiming they would support a \"Slovak Maidan, which the Slovak opposition, with the full support of foreign-funded NGOs and the anti-Slovak media, is working hard on\".<\/p>\n<p>And last month, Slovakia\u2019s PM shared on X a letter he penned to Elon Musk, praising the tech billionaire and key ally of US President Donald Trump for dismantling the US Agency for International Development, or USAID. <\/p>\n<p>Fico said the agency\u2019s funds had been used to \"distort the political system and favour specific political parties\", but did not provide any evidence of this.<\/p>\n<h2>Coalition chaos<\/h2>\n<p>While the protesters are calling for Fico to step down, he is unlikely to leave power anytime soon. Several analysts and activists told Euronews that he is benefiting from the disjointed state of the Slovak opposition.<\/p>\n<p>\"I think the opposition has a problem that it is only reacting to the government's activities,\" said Maru\u0161iak.\u00a0\"The fact is that there is no clear political response and there is also no initiative on the part of the opposition, since Smer, unlike the opposition, is prepared for possible early elections,\" he added.<\/p>\n<p>This was echoed by Stasselov\u00e1, who said the opposition \"must offer real solutions and become more proactive\", rather than waiting for the government to slip up.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Fico's parliamentary coalition is not impervious. Since the end of last year, it has been rocked by the defection of three SNS lawmakers and the rebellion of four Hlas politicians against the government; two of them were expelled from the party.<\/p>\n<p>While the government holds 79 seats in the 150-seat parliament, the disputes and defections at one point left it without a clear majority.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Fico\u2019s grip on power was tested further in mid-January when opposition parties attempted to initiate a no-confidence vote against the government.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Yet the <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//01//21//slovak-prime-minister-fico-faces-confidence-vote-amid-eu-exit-accusations/">motion was withdrawn<\/strong><\/a> after Fico demanded that half the parliamentary session be made private on the grounds he was sharing confidential information.<\/p>\n<p>Michal \u0160ime\u010dka, leader of the main opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, accused Fico of being \"afraid to discuss his failures,\" and said he would be preparing to bring the vote again soon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Amid the turmoil, Fico said last month that the government had <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//02//20//slovakias-fico-boosts-power-through-deal-with-coalition-partners/">regained its slim majority<\/strong><\/a> after a deal with the coalition partners to reshuffle the cabinet and boost Smer\u2019s power.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, the government will continue to face pressure over economic instability, declining living standards relative to other EU member states, and Fico\u2019s unpopular turn towards Moscow.<\/p>\n<p>But while the protesters will keep playing their part, more action is needed, said Stasselov\u00e1.<\/p>\n<p>\"Protests are just one tool \u2014 we need pressure from all sides: the media, civil society, and even international actors,\" she said. <\/p>\n<p>\"Slovakia is at a critical crossroads, and its future direction is being decided right now.\"<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1742035300,"updatedAt":1742542676,"publishedAt":1742540418,"firstPublishedAt":1742540418,"lastPublishedAt":1742542676,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_8f1cc324-8134-5908-bcf9-013ccad1539b-9117310.jpg","altText":"People take part in an anti-government protest on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Bratislava, Slovakia.","caption":"People take part in an anti-government protest on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in Bratislava, Slovakia.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Dorota Holubova\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":575},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_0164ad59-c317-58bf-a656-42b9fd832179-9117310.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":575},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_88a1fc04-6133-5f87-aba3-af6108d5a850-9117310.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":982,"height":552},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_4a108748-2659-5ed1-899a-dedd46e09e83-9117310.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":975,"height":548},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_20786bba-417b-54cb-8cde-9698304f0037-9117310.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":920,"height":517},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/11\/73\/10\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_daf597cd-7589-598a-bee3-a463e93d3c8f-9117310.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":971,"height":546},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/92\/22\/86\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_049de1e1-d7ba-5656-8c68-a1124d6ed6c7-8922286.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/27\/77\/56\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_425b90cc-e760-5b8d-a5ee-203ef2ba45a1-8277756.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3238,"urlSafeValue":"guilbert","title":"Kieran Guilbert","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":4378,"slug":"protest","urlSafeValue":"protest","title":"Protest","titleRaw":"Protest"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":4},{"slug":"quotation","count":1},{"slug":"related","count":3}],"related":[{"id":2748550}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"},{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":{"id":1750,"urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122006","80222006","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","crime_high_and_medium_risk","crime_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/03\/21\/slovakia-at-critical-crossroads-as-months-of-protest-threaten-pro-moscow-fico","lastModified":1742542676},{"id":2772630,"cid":9126588,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA GOVERNMENT RESHUFFLE","daletPyramidId":917405,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovakia's president completes cabinet reshuffle to secure government majority","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Peter Pellegrini reshuffles Slovakia's cabinet to retain majority ","titleListing2":"Slovakia's president completes cabinet reshuffle to secure government majority","leadin":"The appointment of Samuel Miga\u013e as the new minister of investments and regional development was a result of a deal agreed on by three parties in the governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Robert Fico.","summary":"The appointment of Samuel Miga\u013e as the new minister of investments and regional development was a result of a deal agreed on by three parties in the governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Robert Fico.","keySentence":"","url":"slovakias-president-completes-cabinet-reshuffle-to-secure-government-majority","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/03\/19\/slovakias-president-completes-cabinet-reshuffle-to-secure-government-majority","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Slovakia's president has sworn in a new minister of investments and regional development, completing a reshuffle that keeps a parliamentary majority for the government. \n\nThe appointment of Samuel Miga\u013e was a result of a deal agreed on by three parties in\u00a0governing coalition to increase the power of the Smer (Direction) party of\u00a0Prime Minister Robert Fico.\n\nUnder the agreement, the coalition's two junior partners \u2014 the Hlas (Voice) party and the ultranationalist and pro-Russian Slovak National Party \u2014 gave up control of one ministry each to Smer.\n\nWith the addition of the ministries overseeing investments, regional development and information, and tourism and sports, Smer now controls nine ministries, Hlas six and the Slovak National Party two.\n\nThe deal was struck to solve a recent crisis in the coalition that risked its parliamentary majority.\n\nThe coalition had 79 seats in the 150-seat parliament known as the National Council before four Hlas lawmakers, including Miga\u013e and three others, from the Slovak National Party parted with their parliamentary factions. \n\nThe lawmakers did not join the opposition but have demanded posts in the government, parliament and state institutions in exchange for their loyalty.\n\nThat has made it difficult for the government to advance its agenda.\n\nAnother rebel from Hlas, Radom\u00edr \u0160alitro\u0161, will become a state secretary at the ministry led by Miga\u013e.\n\nPellegrini had already sworn in Rudolf Huliak, one of the rebels representing the Slovak National Party, as the minister of tourism and sports.\n\nRichard Ra\u0161i, the predecessor of Miga\u013e at the ministry, has resigned and is expected to be elected the parliamentary speaker. That post is vacant since the previous speaker, Pellegrini, won last year's presidential election.\n\nRobert Fico is a divisive figure in Slovak politics with many people in the country opposed to what they see as his pro-Russia stance. \n\nWhen he came to power in 2023, he cut financial and military aid to Ukraine and said he would block the country from joining NATO.\n\nThose moves have proved highly unpopular with many ordinary Slovakians and sparked a wave of protests across the country.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Slovakia's president has sworn in a new minister of investments and regional development, completing a reshuffle that keeps a parliamentary majority for the government. <\/p>\n<p>The appointment of Samuel Miga\u013e was a result of a deal agreed on by three parties in\u00a0governing coalition to increase the power of the Smer (Direction) party of\u00a0Prime Minister Robert Fico.<\/p>\n<p>Under the agreement, the coalition's two junior partners \u2014 the Hlas (Voice) party and the ultranationalist and pro-Russian Slovak National Party \u2014 gave up control of one ministry each to Smer.<\/p>\n<p>With the addition of the ministries overseeing investments, regional development and information, and tourism and sports, Smer now controls nine ministries, Hlas six and the Slovak National Party two.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//12//65//88//808x539_cmsv2_a92ea779-f42a-5cb4-a059-1197c4368971-9126588.jpg/" alt=\"Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, 21 February, 2025 \" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/384x256_cmsv2_a92ea779-f42a-5cb4-a059-1197c4368971-9126588.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/640x427_cmsv2_a92ea779-f42a-5cb4-a059-1197c4368971-9126588.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/750x500_cmsv2_a92ea779-f42a-5cb4-a059-1197c4368971-9126588.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/828x552_cmsv2_a92ea779-f42a-5cb4-a059-1197c4368971-9126588.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/1080x720_cmsv2_a92ea779-f42a-5cb4-a059-1197c4368971-9126588.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/1200x800_cmsv2_a92ea779-f42a-5cb4-a059-1197c4368971-9126588.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/1920x1280_cmsv2_a92ea779-f42a-5cb4-a059-1197c4368971-9126588.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, 21 February, 2025 <\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The deal was struck to solve a recent crisis in the coalition that risked its parliamentary majority.<\/p>\n<p>The coalition had 79 seats in the 150-seat parliament known as the National Council before four Hlas lawmakers, including Miga\u013e and three others, from the Slovak National Party parted with their parliamentary factions. <\/p>\n<p>The lawmakers did not join the opposition but have demanded posts in the government, parliament and state institutions in exchange for their loyalty.<\/p>\n<p>That has made it difficult for the government to advance its agenda.<\/p>\n<p>Another rebel from Hlas, Radom\u00edr \u0160alitro\u0161, will become a state secretary at the ministry led by Miga\u013e.<\/p>\n<p>Pellegrini had already sworn in Rudolf Huliak, one of the rebels representing the Slovak National Party, as the minister of tourism and sports.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//12//65//88//808x539_cmsv2_703a9e00-50cf-5e07-ae96-c2ed7ee588a9-9126588.jpg/" alt=\"People take part in a mass protest in Bratislava, 21 February, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/384x256_cmsv2_703a9e00-50cf-5e07-ae96-c2ed7ee588a9-9126588.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/640x427_cmsv2_703a9e00-50cf-5e07-ae96-c2ed7ee588a9-9126588.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/750x500_cmsv2_703a9e00-50cf-5e07-ae96-c2ed7ee588a9-9126588.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/828x552_cmsv2_703a9e00-50cf-5e07-ae96-c2ed7ee588a9-9126588.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/1080x720_cmsv2_703a9e00-50cf-5e07-ae96-c2ed7ee588a9-9126588.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/1200x800_cmsv2_703a9e00-50cf-5e07-ae96-c2ed7ee588a9-9126588.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/1920x1280_cmsv2_703a9e00-50cf-5e07-ae96-c2ed7ee588a9-9126588.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People take part in a mass protest in Bratislava, 21 February, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Richard Ra\u0161i, the predecessor of Miga\u013e at the ministry, has resigned and is expected to be elected the parliamentary speaker. That post is vacant since the previous speaker, Pellegrini, won last year's presidential election.<\/p>\n<p>Robert Fico is a divisive figure in Slovak politics with many people in the country opposed to what they see as his pro-Russia stance. <\/p>\n<p>When he came to power in 2023, he cut financial and military aid to Ukraine and said he would block the country from joining NATO.<\/p>\n<p>Those moves have proved highly unpopular with many ordinary Slovakians and <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//03//08//thousands-of-slovaks-protest-against-populist-pm-robert-fico-and-his-pro-russian-policies/">sparked a wave of protests across the country<\/a>.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1742407766,"updatedAt":1742413264,"publishedAt":1742412604,"firstPublishedAt":1742412604,"lastPublishedAt":1742413264,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_d91debca-3642-5a19-a8c0-b54014505d65-9126588.jpg","altText":"Slovakia's President Peter Pellegrini speaks to the media in Bratislava, 6 April, 2024","caption":"Slovakia's President Peter Pellegrini speaks to the media in Bratislava, 6 April, 2024","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1124},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_703a9e00-50cf-5e07-ae96-c2ed7ee588a9-9126588.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/12\/65\/88\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a92ea779-f42a-5cb4-a059-1197c4368971-9126588.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":5004,"slug":"president","urlSafeValue":"president","title":"President","titleRaw":"President"},{"id":12051,"slug":"government","urlSafeValue":"government","title":"Government","titleRaw":"Government"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2}],"related":[{"id":2767046},{"id":2759142},{"id":2748550}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"Euronews","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84121001"],"slugs":["news"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/03\/19\/slovakias-president-completes-cabinet-reshuffle-to-secure-government-majority","lastModified":1742413264},{"id":2762076,"cid":9080618,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"250226_NWWB_57814937","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"Suspect in Fico shooting","daletPyramidId":null,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Suspect in Robert Fico assassination attempt may face terror charges, Slovak police say","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Suspect in Slovak PM Fico shooting may face terror charges, police say","titleListing2":"Slovak police call for \u201cterror attack\u201d charges against man accused of attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico. ","leadin":"Prosecutors will now assess the evidence and decide whether the suspect, identified only as J.C., will stand trial.","summary":"Prosecutors will now assess the evidence and decide whether the suspect, identified only as J.C., will stand trial.","keySentence":"","url":"suspect-in-robert-fico-assassination-attempt-may-face-terror-charges-slovak-police-say","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/02\/26\/suspect-in-robert-fico-assassination-attempt-may-face-terror-charges-slovak-police-say","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Slovak police have concluded their investigation into last year\u2019s attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico and recommended that the suspect face charges of a \"terror attack\".\n\nProsecutor-General Maro\u0161 \u017dilinka stated that prosecutors would now review the evidence to determine whether the accused, identified only as J.C., will stand trial.\u00a0\n\nHowever, a timeline for the legal proceedings remains unclear.\n\nJ.C. was immediately taken into custody following the attack on 15 May last year, and has remained in detention ever since under a court order.\n\nInitially charged with attempted murder, he now faces upgraded charges. \u017dilinka cited new evidence obtained by investigators, but did not disclose further details.\n\nGovernment officials previously suggested the attack may have been politically motivated and committed by a perpetrator acting alone, but also hinted at the potential involvement of a third party.\n\nFico suffered multiple gunshot wounds after being shot in the abdomen while greeting supporters in the town of Handlov\u00e1. He has since recovered.\n\nA highly polarising figure in Slovakia's politics, Fico\u2019s pro-Russian policies and crackdown on independent media have triggered mass protests across the country since his return to power in October 2023.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Slovak police have concluded their investigation into last year\u2019s attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico and recommended that the suspect face charges of a \"terror attack\".<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutor-General Maro\u0161 \u017dilinka stated that prosecutors would now review the evidence to determine whether the accused, identified only as J.C., will stand trial.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>However, a timeline for the legal proceedings remains unclear.<\/p>\n<p>J.C. was immediately taken into custody following the attack on 15 May last year, and has remained in detention ever since under a court order.<\/p>\n<p>Initially charged with attempted murder, he now faces upgraded charges. \u017dilinka cited new evidence obtained by investigators, but did not disclose further details.<\/p>\n<p>Government officials previously suggested the attack may have been politically motivated and committed by a perpetrator acting alone, but also hinted at the potential involvement of a third party.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9002288,8443114\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2024//05//17//slovakias-pm-robert-fico-underwent-another-operation-remains-in-serious-condition/">Slovakia's PM Robert Fico remains in serious condition after further surgery<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//01//25//tens-of-thousands-protest-across-slovakia-against-pm-robert-ficos-stance-on-russia/">Tens of thousands protest across Slovakia against PM Robert Fico's stance on Russia<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Fico suffered multiple gunshot wounds after being shot in the abdomen while greeting supporters in the town of Handlov\u00e1. He has since recovered.<\/p>\n<p>A highly polarising figure in Slovakia's politics, Fico\u2019s pro-Russian policies and crackdown on independent media have triggered mass protests across the country since his return to power in October 2023.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1740574342,"updatedAt":1740582814,"publishedAt":1740577144,"firstPublishedAt":1740577144,"lastPublishedAt":1740577144,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/08\/06\/18\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_9c8680e4-348d-53d6-bb31-5b6adce1dca5-9080618.jpg","altText":"FILE - Chairman of SMER-Social Democracy party Robert Fico arrives at his party's headquarters in Bratislava, Slovakia, 1 October, 2023. ","caption":"FILE - Chairman of SMER-Social Democracy party Robert Fico arrives at his party's headquarters in Bratislava, Slovakia, 1 October, 2023. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo\/Petr David Josek, File","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3252,"urlSafeValue":"al-yahyai","title":"Oman Al Yahyai","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":13878,"slug":"shooting","urlSafeValue":"shooting","title":"shooting","titleRaw":"shooting"},{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2749554},{"id":2575450}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122003","80122006","80222003","80222006","84111001","84112001","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","crime_high_and_medium_risk","crime_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_government_and_politics","law_government_and_politics_general","society","society_general","violence_high_and_medium_risk","violence_high_medium_and_low_risk"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet-web","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/02\/26\/suspect-in-robert-fico-assassination-attempt-may-face-terror-charges-slovak-police-say","lastModified":1740577144},{"id":2759920,"cid":9072770,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA PROTEST","daletPyramidId":659775,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Thousands protest against Slovakia's PM on anniversary of journalist's murder","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Anti-Fico protesters mark seventh anniversary of journalist's murder","titleListing2":"Thousands of Slovaks protest against PM Robert Fico, mark seventh anniversary of journalist's murder","leadin":"Thousands of anti-government protesters commemorate the seventh anniversary of the killings of an investigative journalist and his fianc\u00e9e in Slovakia.","summary":"Thousands of anti-government protesters commemorate the seventh anniversary of the killings of an investigative journalist and his fianc\u00e9e in Slovakia.","keySentence":"","url":"thousands-of-slovaks-protest-against-pm-robert-fico-mark-seventh-anniversary-of-journalist","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/02\/22\/thousands-of-slovaks-protest-against-pm-robert-fico-mark-seventh-anniversary-of-journalist","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Thousands rallied across Slovakia on Friday to mark the seventh anniversary of the killing of investigative journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak and his fianc\u00e9e Martina Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1, who were shot dead at their home town of Velka Maca, east of the capital Bratislava, in February 2018.\n\nThey were both aged 27 at the time of their death and the incident sparked major street protests.\n\nThe ensuing political crisis led to the collapse of a coalition government headed by Robert Fico. Kuciak had been investigating possible government corruption, among other issues when he was killed.\n\nPeople applauded the parents of Kuciak and the mother of Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1, who greeted them from the stage.\n\n\"We cannot allow ourselves to be lethargic and expect someone to solve everything for us. That's why we need to fight and I believe that our protests will contribute to that,\u201d J\u00e1n's father Jozef Kuciak told the crowd.\n\nMari\u00e1n Ko\u010dner, a businessman who had been accused of masterminding the killings, has been acquitted twice.\n\nProsecutors have said they believe Ko\u010dner paid the convicted triggerman to carry it out and appealed.\n\nThe protest is part of a wave of anti-government protests against the pro-Russia policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. They\u2019re also the biggest demonstrations since the 2018 killings.\n\nProtests intensified after Fico visited Moscow for talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. The visit was one of a rare few visits by European Union leaders since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.\n\nProtesters are also opposing Fico's proposal to potentially leave the 27-nation European Union and NATO.\n\nProtesters waved Slovak and EU flags side-by-side and chanted 'Slovakia is Europe'. They also carried anti-Fico banners and chanted 'We\u2019ve had enough of Fico'.\n\nThe crowds at rallies in 47 different towns and cities in Slovakia, and 16 other locations abroad \u2013 according to organisers \u2013 participated in the protests. About 10,000 protesters at the popular Freedom Square in the capital Bratislava demanded Fico\u2019s resignation.\n\nThe Slovak premier returned to power after his leftist Smer party won a parliamentary election in 2023.\n\nHe has since ended the country's military support to Kyiv in its almost three-year long war with Moscow, criticised EU sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.\n\nHe also declared Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a national enemy after Kyiv halted the transit of Russian gas in Ukraine and its supplies to Slovakia, along with other European customers.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Thousands rallied across Slovakia on Friday to mark the seventh anniversary of the killing of investigative journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak and his fianc\u00e9e Martina Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1, who were shot dead at their home town of Velka Maca, east of the capital Bratislava, in February 2018.<\/p>\n<p>They were both aged 27 at the time of their death and the incident sparked major street protests.<\/p>\n<p>The ensuing political crisis led to the collapse of a coalition government headed by Robert Fico. Kuciak had been investigating possible government corruption, among other issues when he was killed.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//07//27//70//808x539_cmsv2_b229df51-8bb8-52a9-9f0b-456ae2c6d70c-9072770.jpg/" alt=\"Protesters mark the seventh anniversary of the killings of journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak and his fianc\u00e9e Martina Kusnirova, 21 February, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/384x256_cmsv2_b229df51-8bb8-52a9-9f0b-456ae2c6d70c-9072770.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/640x427_cmsv2_b229df51-8bb8-52a9-9f0b-456ae2c6d70c-9072770.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/750x500_cmsv2_b229df51-8bb8-52a9-9f0b-456ae2c6d70c-9072770.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/828x552_cmsv2_b229df51-8bb8-52a9-9f0b-456ae2c6d70c-9072770.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/1080x720_cmsv2_b229df51-8bb8-52a9-9f0b-456ae2c6d70c-9072770.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/1200x800_cmsv2_b229df51-8bb8-52a9-9f0b-456ae2c6d70c-9072770.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/1920x1280_cmsv2_b229df51-8bb8-52a9-9f0b-456ae2c6d70c-9072770.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Protesters mark the seventh anniversary of the killings of journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak and his fianc\u00e9e Martina Kusnirova, 21 February, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>People applauded the parents of Kuciak and the mother of Ku\u0161n\u00edrov\u00e1, who greeted them from the stage.<\/p>\n<p>\"We cannot allow ourselves to be lethargic and expect someone to solve everything for us. That's why we need to fight and I believe that our protests will contribute to that,\u201d J\u00e1n's father Jozef Kuciak told the crowd.<\/p>\n<p>Mari\u00e1n Ko\u010dner, a businessman who had been accused of masterminding the killings, has been acquitted twice.<\/p>\n<p>Prosecutors have said they believe Ko\u010dner paid the convicted triggerman to carry it out and appealed.<\/p>\n<p>The protest is part of a wave of anti-government protests against the pro-Russia policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. They\u2019re also the biggest demonstrations since the 2018 killings.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//07//27//70//808x539_cmsv2_e3b55a52-4379-504a-9e84-43038953f827-9072770.jpg/" alt=\"Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, 21 February, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/384x256_cmsv2_e3b55a52-4379-504a-9e84-43038953f827-9072770.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/640x427_cmsv2_e3b55a52-4379-504a-9e84-43038953f827-9072770.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/750x500_cmsv2_e3b55a52-4379-504a-9e84-43038953f827-9072770.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/828x552_cmsv2_e3b55a52-4379-504a-9e84-43038953f827-9072770.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/1080x720_cmsv2_e3b55a52-4379-504a-9e84-43038953f827-9072770.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/1200x800_cmsv2_e3b55a52-4379-504a-9e84-43038953f827-9072770.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/1920x1280_cmsv2_e3b55a52-4379-504a-9e84-43038953f827-9072770.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Slovakia&#39;s Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, 21 February, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Protests intensified after Fico visited Moscow for talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. The visit was one of a rare few visits by European Union leaders since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters are also opposing Fico's proposal to potentially leave the 27-nation European Union and NATO.<\/p>\n<p>Protesters waved Slovak and EU flags side-by-side and chanted 'Slovakia is Europe'. They also carried anti-Fico banners and chanted 'We\u2019ve had enough of Fico'.<\/p>\n<p>The crowds at rallies in 47 different towns and cities in Slovakia, and 16 other locations abroad \u2013 according to organisers \u2013 participated in the protests. About 10,000 protesters at the popular Freedom Square in the capital Bratislava demanded Fico\u2019s resignation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//07//27//70//808x539_cmsv2_a46a8452-53cf-5928-945a-f5c3ae676882-9072770.jpg/" alt=\"Protesters mark the seventh anniversary of the killings of journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak and his fianc\u00e9e Martina Kusnirova, 21 February, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/384x256_cmsv2_a46a8452-53cf-5928-945a-f5c3ae676882-9072770.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/640x427_cmsv2_a46a8452-53cf-5928-945a-f5c3ae676882-9072770.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/750x500_cmsv2_a46a8452-53cf-5928-945a-f5c3ae676882-9072770.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/828x552_cmsv2_a46a8452-53cf-5928-945a-f5c3ae676882-9072770.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/1080x720_cmsv2_a46a8452-53cf-5928-945a-f5c3ae676882-9072770.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/1200x800_cmsv2_a46a8452-53cf-5928-945a-f5c3ae676882-9072770.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/1920x1280_cmsv2_a46a8452-53cf-5928-945a-f5c3ae676882-9072770.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">Protesters mark the seventh anniversary of the killings of journalist J\u00e1n Kuciak and his fianc\u00e9e Martina Kusnirova, 21 February, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>The Slovak premier returned to power after his leftist Smer party won a parliamentary election in 2023.<\/p>\n<p>He has since ended the country's military support to Kyiv in its almost three-year long war with Moscow, criticised EU sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.<\/p>\n<p>He also declared Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a national enemy after Kyiv halted the transit of Russian gas in Ukraine and its supplies to Slovakia, along with other European customers.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1740199243,"updatedAt":1746523960,"publishedAt":1740201309,"firstPublishedAt":1740201309,"lastPublishedAt":1740207584,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e714387b-3d0c-50be-936d-35f15d881cf9-9072770.jpg","altText":"People gather to mark the seventh anniversary of the slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee, Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova, Bratislava, Friday Feb 21, 2025","caption":"People gather to mark the seventh anniversary of the slayings of an investigative journalist and his fiancee, Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova, Bratislava, Friday Feb 21, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Vaclav Salek\/AP","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_e3b55a52-4379-504a-9e84-43038953f827-9072770.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_a46a8452-53cf-5928-945a-f5c3ae676882-9072770.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/07\/27\/70\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_b229df51-8bb8-52a9-9f0b-456ae2c6d70c-9072770.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3270,"urlSafeValue":"fouda","title":"Malek Fouda","twitter":"themalekfouda"}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":27110,"slug":"protestas","urlSafeValue":"protestas","title":"Protests","titleRaw":"Protests"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":1750,"slug":"bratislava","urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava","titleRaw":"Bratislava"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":3}],"related":[{"id":2759142},{"id":2749554},{"id":2738114}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/ED\/en\/77\/18\/13\/ED_PYR_771813_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":183174,"filesizeBytes":0,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/en\/77\/18\/13\/SHD_PYR_771813_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":183174,"filesizeBytes":0,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/FHD\/en\/77\/18\/13\/FHD_PYR_771813_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":183174,"filesizeBytes":0,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122003","80122006","80122009","80122022","80222003","80222006","80222009","80222022","84061001","84062001","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212009"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","crime_high_and_medium_risk","crime_high_medium_and_low_risk","death_and_injury_low_risk","death_and_injury_medium_risk","family_and_parenting","family_and_parenting_general","human_made_disasters_high_and_medium_risk","human_made_disasters_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_weddings","violence_high_and_medium_risk","violence_high_medium_and_low_risk"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article-video","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/02\/22\/thousands-of-slovaks-protest-against-pm-robert-fico-mark-seventh-anniversary-of-journalist","lastModified":1740207584},{"id":2759142,"cid":9069694,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":null,"owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"FICO MINISTRIES DEAL ","daletPyramidId":639599,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovakia's Fico boosts power through deal with coalition partners","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovakia's Fico boosts power through deal with coalition partners","titleListing2":"Slovakia's Fico boosts power through deal with coalition partners","leadin":"The Slovak prime minister's parliamentary majority came under threat when several lawmakers defected from their posts.","summary":"The Slovak prime minister's parliamentary majority came under threat when several lawmakers defected from their posts.","keySentence":"","url":"slovakias-fico-boosts-power-through-deal-with-coalition-partners","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/02\/20\/slovakias-fico-boosts-power-through-deal-with-coalition-partners","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Slovakia's three ruling coalition parties said Wednesday they agreed to shuffle ministries in a deal that would boost the power of Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer party amidst repeated threats.\n\nUnder the agreement, the coalition's junior partners \u2014 the left-wing populist Hlas party and the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS) \u2014 will each give up one ministry to the leftist Moscow-friendly Smer. \n\nSmer will ultimately have control of nine ministries, Hlas will have six, and the SNS two. \n\n\u201cSmer will use this political influence to stabilise the ruling coalition and regain its parliamentary majority,\u201d Fico said in a post on his Facebook page.\n\nThe agreement comes after Fico's power was threatened both by a crisis in this own coalition as well as repeated attempts from the opposition to bring forward a no-confidence vote. \n\nThe leader's ruling coalition found itself losing its 79-seat majority after three SNS lawmakers defected from their parliamentary factions, demanding posts in government, parliament, and state institutions in exchange for returning to their seats. \n\nFour more Hlas MPs then began to openly rebel against the government \u2014 culminating in two being expelled from the party. \n\nFico said that the deal made giving his party control of extra ministries would help him in negotiating with the dissenting voices, although he did not provide details on how. \n\nIn January, Fico's power was additionally tested when opposition parties attempted to bring a no-confidence vote in the Slovak parliament. \n\nThe vote ultimately never took place after members of the opposition walked out halfway through the session over Fico's demand to make half of the parliamentary session private. \n\nFico has also faced a wave of anti-government protests stemming from his controversial decision to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in December last year. In late January, protesters in more than 30 Slovak cities called on the leader to resign, a proposal Fico dismissed. \n\nThe Slovak prime minister has long been critical of NATO and the European Union, and friendly towards Moscow \u2014 positions that have attracted criticism from protesters and the country's opposition. \n\nRecently, he has ramped up anti-Ukrainian rhetoric following a gas dispute after the war-torn country refused to renew a contract with Moscow that allowed gas to flow through Ukraine to neighbouring European countries.\n\nThe prime minister has threatened to limit electricity supplies and aid for Ukrainian refugees and implied he would be prepared to block action towards helping Ukraine at the EU level.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Slovakia's three ruling coalition parties said Wednesday they agreed to shuffle ministries in a deal that would boost the power of Prime Minister Robert Fico's Smer party amidst repeated threats.<\/p>\n<p>Under the agreement, the coalition's junior partners \u2014 the left-wing populist Hlas party and the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS) \u2014 will each give up one ministry to the leftist Moscow-friendly Smer. <\/p>\n<p>Smer will ultimately have control of nine ministries, Hlas will have six, and the SNS two. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cSmer will use this political influence to stabilise the ruling coalition and regain its parliamentary majority,\u201d Fico said in a post on his Facebook page.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement comes after Fico's power was threatened both by a crisis in this own coalition as well as repeated attempts from the opposition to bring forward a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//01//21//slovak-prime-minister-fico-faces-confidence-vote-amid-eu-exit-accusations/">no-confidence vote. <\/a><\/p>\n<p>The leader's ruling coalition found itself losing its 79-seat majority after three SNS lawmakers defected from their parliamentary factions, demanding posts in government, parliament, and state institutions in exchange for returning to their seats. <\/p>\n<p>Four more Hlas MPs then began to openly rebel against the government \u2014 culminating in two being expelled from the party. <\/p>\n<p>Fico said that the deal made giving his party control of extra ministries would help him in negotiating with the dissenting voices, although he did not provide details on how. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"9040280,9017810\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//02//08//thousands-in-slovakia-protest-against-what-they-say-is-pm-ficos-pro-russia-stance/">Thousands in Slovakia protest against what they say is PM Fico's pro-Russia stance<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//01//30//slovak-pm-fico-abandons-brussels-meeting-amid-belgian-air-traffic-control-woes/">Slovak PM Fico abandons Brussels meeting amid Belgian air traffic control woes<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>In January, Fico's power was additionally tested when opposition parties attempted to bring a no-confidence vote in the Slovak parliament. <\/p>\n<p>The vote ultimately never took place after members of the opposition walked out halfway through the session over Fico's demand to make half of the parliamentary session private. <\/p>\n<p>Fico has also faced a wave of anti-government protests stemming from his controversial <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//12//22//slovakias-prime-minister-has-controversial-talks-with-putin-in-moscow/">decision to visit Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in December last year. In late January, protesters in more than 30 Slovak cities called on the leader to resign, a proposal Fico dismissed. <\/p>\n<p>The Slovak prime minister has long been critical of NATO and the European Union, and friendly towards Moscow \u2014 positions that have attracted criticism from protesters and the country's opposition. <\/p>\n<p>Recently, he has ramped up anti-Ukrainian rhetoric following a gas dispute after the war-torn country refused to renew a contract with Moscow that allowed gas to flow through Ukraine to neighbouring European countries.<\/p>\n<p>The prime minister has threatened to limit electricity supplies and aid for Ukrainian refugees and implied he would be prepared to block action towards helping Ukraine at the EU level.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1740055879,"updatedAt":1740065229,"publishedAt":1740060134,"firstPublishedAt":1740060134,"lastPublishedAt":1740060134,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/99\/74\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_eaad3527-2679-5227-acab-370c0f95340a-8997458.jpg","altText":"Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico addresses the media during a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Bratislava, Slovakia, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.","caption":"Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico addresses the media during a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Bratislava, Slovakia, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Jaroslav Novak\/Tlacova agentura SR","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":576}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2940,"urlSafeValue":"paternoster","title":"Tamsin Paternoster","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2759920},{"id":2772630}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84091001","84092030","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["hobbies_and_interests","hobbies_and_interests_social_networking","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"article","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/02\/20\/slovakias-fico-boosts-power-through-deal-with-coalition-partners","lastModified":1740060134},{"id":2749554,"cid":9040280,"versionId":2,"archive":0,"housenumber":"250208_E3SU_57710374","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA ANTI-FICO PROTEST","daletPyramidId":null,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Thousands in Slovakia protest against what they say is PM Fico's pro-Russia stance","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Thousands in Slovakia protest against PM Fico's Russia stance","titleListing2":"Thousands of Slovakians protest against what they say is PM Fico's pro-Russia stance","leadin":"Fico's views on Russia have largely differed from the European mainstream. He ended Slovakia's military aid for Ukraine, criticised European Union sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.","summary":"Fico's views on Russia have largely differed from the European mainstream. He ended Slovakia's military aid for Ukraine, criticised European Union sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.","keySentence":"","url":"thousands-in-slovakia-protest-against-what-they-say-is-pm-ficos-pro-russia-stance","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/02\/08\/thousands-in-slovakia-protest-against-what-they-say-is-pm-ficos-pro-russia-stance","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Huge crowds have gathered in dozens of cities and towns across Slovakia to mount vocal protests against what they say are the pro-Russian policies of Prime Minister\u00a0Robert Fico.\n\nThe latest wave of anti-government rallies was fuelled by\u00a0Fico's recent trip to Moscow for talks with President\u00a0Vladimir Putin, a rare visit to the Kremlin by a European Union leader since\u00a0Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.\n\nFico's recent remarks that Slovakia\u2019s foreign policy orientation could involve leaving the European Union and NATO contributed to the anger of protesters.\n\n\"Slovakia is Europe,\" the protesters in Bratislava chanted.\n\n\"I came to this protest to express my disagreement with our government's policies and actions. I don't think the government has been given a mandate to do what it is doing. That's why I want to make my civil statement. That's why I'm here,\" said one of the protesters, Marcela Slimakova.\n\nThe latest rallies took place in 41 locations in Slovakia, up from 28\u00a0two weeks ago.\n\nProtest organisers say rallies also took place in 13 cities abroad.\n\n\"Personally, I don't believe the protest will change anything, but at least it will bring those people together to make a difference in an election,\" said Matej D\u011bbnar, one of the protesters at the Bratislava rally.\n\nFriday's protests were the biggest since major street rallies in 2018 prompted by the killing of an investigative reporter and his fianc\u00e9e.\n\nThe ensuing political crisis led to the collapse of Fico's previous government.\n\nFico, who survived an assassination attempt in May 2024, is a divisive figure in Slovakia and has escalated tensions by accusing protest organisers of being in contact with foreigners who organised recent anti-government protests in Georgia.\n\nHe claims the are working towards engineering a coup in Slovakia.\n\nGovernment officials have failed to provide evidence for the claim, which has been dismissed by the Peace for Ukraine organisation.\n\nFico's views on Russia have largely differed from the European mainstream.\n\nHe returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won the parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-America platform\n\nHe has since ended Slovakia's military aid for Ukraine, criticised European Union sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.\n\nHe also declared Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy an enemy\u00a0after Kyiv halted Russian gas supplies to Slovakia and other European countries.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Huge crowds have gathered in dozens of cities and towns across Slovakia to mount vocal protests against what they say are the pro-Russian policies of Prime Minister\u00a0Robert Fico.<\/p>\n<p>The latest wave of anti-government rallies was fuelled by<a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//12//22//slovakias-prime-minister-has-controversial-talks-with-putin-in-moscow/">/u00a0Fico's recent trip to Moscow for talks with President\u00a0Vladimir Putin<\/a>, a rare visit to the Kremlin by a European Union leader since\u00a0Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//04//02//80//808x539_cmsv2_2125a116-7b63-529c-9189-55703eb92a47-9040280.jpg/" alt=\"People take part in an anti-government protest at the Freedom Square organised by political activists in Bratislava, 7 February, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/384x256_cmsv2_2125a116-7b63-529c-9189-55703eb92a47-9040280.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/640x427_cmsv2_2125a116-7b63-529c-9189-55703eb92a47-9040280.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/750x500_cmsv2_2125a116-7b63-529c-9189-55703eb92a47-9040280.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/828x552_cmsv2_2125a116-7b63-529c-9189-55703eb92a47-9040280.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/1080x720_cmsv2_2125a116-7b63-529c-9189-55703eb92a47-9040280.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/1200x800_cmsv2_2125a116-7b63-529c-9189-55703eb92a47-9040280.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/1920x1280_cmsv2_2125a116-7b63-529c-9189-55703eb92a47-9040280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People take part in an anti-government protest at the Freedom Square organised by political activists in Bratislava, 7 February, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Fico's recent remarks that Slovakia\u2019s foreign policy orientation could involve leaving the European Union and NATO contributed to the anger of protesters.<\/p>\n<p>\"Slovakia is Europe,\" the protesters in Bratislava chanted.<\/p>\n<p>\"I came to this protest to express my disagreement with our government's policies and actions. I don't think the government has been given a mandate to do what it is doing. That's why I want to make my civil statement. That's why I'm here,\" said one of the protesters, Marcela Slimakova.<\/p>\n<p>The latest rallies took place in 41 locations in Slovakia, up from 28\u00a0two weeks ago.<\/p>\n<p>Protest organisers say rallies also took place in 13 cities abroad.<\/p>\n<p>\"Personally, I don't believe the protest will change anything, but at least it will bring those people together to make a difference in an election,\" said Matej D\u011bbnar, one of the protesters at the Bratislava rally.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-tweet widget--size-fullwidth widget--align-center\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio\u2014auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <div class=\"widget__tweet\" data-tweet-id=\"1885331518207279155\"><\/div>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Friday's protests were the biggest since major street rallies in 2018 prompted by the killing of an investigative reporter and his fianc\u00e9e.<\/p>\n<p>The ensuing political crisis led to the collapse of Fico's previous government.<\/p>\n<p>Fico, who survived an assassination attempt in May 2024, is a divisive figure in Slovakia and has escalated tensions by accusing protest organisers of being in contact with foreigners who organised recent anti-government protests in Georgia.<\/p>\n<p>He claims the are <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//2025//01//23//slovak-pm-fico-accuses-opposition-of-coup-attempt-following-protests-and-no-confidence-mot/">working towards engineering a coup in Slovakia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Government officials have failed to provide evidence for the claim, which has been dismissed by the Peace for Ukraine organisation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6665\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//09//04//02//80//808x539_cmsv2_60bdc81c-d4e1-5580-bce1-e788bdc68e2c-9040280.jpg/" alt=\"People take part in an anti-government protest at the Freedom Square organised by political activists in Bratislava, 7 February, 2025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/384x256_cmsv2_60bdc81c-d4e1-5580-bce1-e788bdc68e2c-9040280.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/640x427_cmsv2_60bdc81c-d4e1-5580-bce1-e788bdc68e2c-9040280.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/750x500_cmsv2_60bdc81c-d4e1-5580-bce1-e788bdc68e2c-9040280.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/828x552_cmsv2_60bdc81c-d4e1-5580-bce1-e788bdc68e2c-9040280.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/1080x720_cmsv2_60bdc81c-d4e1-5580-bce1-e788bdc68e2c-9040280.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/1200x800_cmsv2_60bdc81c-d4e1-5580-bce1-e788bdc68e2c-9040280.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/1920x1280_cmsv2_60bdc81c-d4e1-5580-bce1-e788bdc68e2c-9040280.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People take part in an anti-government protest at the Freedom Square organised by political activists in Bratislava, 7 February, 2025<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Fico's views on Russia have largely differed from the European mainstream.<\/p>\n<p>He returned to power last year after his leftist party Smer (Direction) won the parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-America platform<\/p>\n<p>He has since ended Slovakia's military aid for Ukraine, criticised European Union sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.<\/p>\n<p>He also declared Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy an enemy\u00a0after Kyiv halted Russian gas supplies to Slovakia and other European countries.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1738964427,"updatedAt":1738989904,"publishedAt":1738989505,"firstPublishedAt":1738989505,"lastPublishedAt":1738989727,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c4400d9a-eb07-585a-989d-9ae78dbc9a83-9040280.jpg","altText":"People take part in an anti-government protest at the Freedom Square organised by political activists in Bratislava, 7 February, 2025","caption":"People take part in an anti-government protest at the Freedom Square organised by political activists in Bratislava, 7 February, 2025","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1125},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_60bdc81c-d4e1-5580-bce1-e788bdc68e2c-9040280.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/04\/02\/80\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_2125a116-7b63-529c-9189-55703eb92a47-9040280.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":2000,"height":1333}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2972,"urlSafeValue":"blackburn","title":"Gavin Blackburn","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":239,"slug":"russia","urlSafeValue":"russia","title":"Russia","titleRaw":"Russia"},{"id":26692,"slug":"war-in-ukraine","urlSafeValue":"war-in-ukraine","title":"War in Ukraine","titleRaw":"War in Ukraine"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"},{"id":205,"slug":"nato","urlSafeValue":"nato","title":"NATO","titleRaw":"NATO"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":2},{"slug":"twitter","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2736528},{"id":2762076}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"cvDxMs6IVGs","dailymotionId":"x9dqc8a"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/E3\/SU\/25\/02\/08\/en\/250208_E3SU_57710374_57710479_63000_002005_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":63000,"filesizeBytes":8141994,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/E3\/SU\/25\/02\/08\/en\/250208_E3SU_57710374_57710479_63000_002005_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":63000,"filesizeBytes":12163754,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/1080p\/EN\/E3\/SU\/25\/02\/08\/en\/250208_E3SU_57710374_57710479_63000_053902_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":63000,"filesizeBytes":40692906,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":"AP","additionalSources":"","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/02\/08\/thousands-in-slovakia-protest-against-what-they-say-is-pm-ficos-pro-russia-stance","lastModified":1738989727},{"id":2736528,"cid":8997458,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"250123_NWSU_57584853","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA FICO ON PROTESTS","daletPyramidId":null,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovak PM Fico accuses opposition of 'coup attempt' following protests and no-confidence motion","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Fico accuses opposition of 'coup attempt' after no-confidence bid","titleListing2":"Slovak PM Fico accuses opposition of 'coup attempt' following no-confidence motion","leadin":"Slovakia's Moscow-friendly prime minister has faced accusations by the country's largest opposition party of trying to take the country out of the EU.","summary":"Slovakia's Moscow-friendly prime minister has faced accusations by the country's largest opposition party of trying to take the country out of the EU.","keySentence":"","url":"slovak-pm-fico-accuses-opposition-of-coup-attempt-following-protests-and-no-confidence-mot","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/01\/23\/slovak-pm-fico-accuses-opposition-of-coup-attempt-following-protests-and-no-confidence-mot","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Thursday accused the opposition of an attempt to \"organise a coup\" amid escalating demonstrations against his alleged pro-Moscow stance and a push for a no-confidence vote in parliament.\n\nDuring his address to the Slovak parliament, Fico also rejected claims about the country\u2019s supposed change of foreign policy orientation and reaffirmed membership of both the EU and NATO. \u00a0\n\nThough Fico said his government wouldn\u2019t take any action regarding the constitutional right to assemble and organise, he alleged the existence of a structure that wants to abuse protests to escalate tensions.\u00a0\n\n\u201cWe see a structure that wants to exploit these meetings and these rallies primarily for a possible clash with the security forces of the state,\u201d he said, \u201cThere are even steps that are intended to interrupt the ability of the government of the Slovak Republic to do its job.\u201d\u00a0\n\n\u201cIt is an attempt to organise a typical coup in Slovakia so that the government falls and those who cannot get into power through democratic parliamentary elections come to power.\u201d \u00a0\n\nRecently, Fico has been accused by his opponents of trying to pull the country out of the EU.\u00a0\n\nOn Tuesday, he survived an opposition attempt to bring a no-confidence vote to the Slovak parliament after his opponents walked out of the debate in protest over attempts to make the session partly private. \u00a0\n\nUnrest in Slovakia over Fico's ties to Moscow\n\nFico\u2019s comments come as protests continue to erupt in Slovakia over his ties to Russia. The demonstrations started last December after he travelled to Moscow for a visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.\n\nFico has also threatened to cut financial aid for more than 130,000 Ukrainian refugees living in Slovakia after Kyiv decided to halt the delivery of Russian gas to Slovakia through its territory.\u00a0\n\nFico has been critical of NATO and the EU, suggesting that Brussels should extend its majority voting system to cover more areas and limit the power of national vetoes.\u00a0\n\nHe returned to power last year after his Smer party won a parliamentary election on a populist platform, including ceasing all aid to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russia's all-out invasion, now well into its third year.\u00a0\n\nDuring his tenure, he has vowed to block Kyiv from joining NATO and slammed EU sanctions on Russia.\u00a0\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Thursday accused the opposition of an attempt to \"organise a coup\" amid escalating demonstrations against his alleged pro-Moscow stance and a push for a no-confidence vote in parliament.<\/p>\n<p>During his address to the Slovak parliament, Fico also rejected claims about the country\u2019s supposed change of foreign policy orientation and reaffirmed membership of both the EU and NATO. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Though Fico said his government wouldn\u2019t take any action regarding the constitutional right to assemble and organise, he alleged the existence of a structure that wants to abuse protests to escalate tensions.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe see a structure that wants to exploit these meetings and these rallies primarily for a possible clash with the security forces of the state,\u201d he said, \u201cThere are even steps that are intended to interrupt the ability of the government of the Slovak Republic to do its job.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is an attempt to organise a typical coup in Slovakia so that the government falls and those who cannot get into power through democratic parliamentary elections come to power.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Recently, Fico has been accused by his opponents of trying to pull the country out of the EU.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday, he survived an opposition attempt to bring a <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//01//21//slovak-prime-minister-fico-faces-confidence-vote-amid-eu-exit-accusations/">no-confidence vote<\/strong><\/a> to the Slovak parliament after his opponents walked out of the debate in protest over attempts to make the session partly private. \u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Unrest in Slovakia over Fico's ties to Moscow<\/h2>\n<p>Fico\u2019s comments come as protests continue to <a href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//01//10//protests-erupt-once-more-in-slovakia-over-ficos-pro-moscow-stance/">erupt in Slovakia over his ties to Russia.<\/strong><\/a> The demonstrations started last December after he travelled to Moscow for a visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n<p>Fico has also threatened to cut financial aid for more than 130,000 Ukrainian refugees living in Slovakia after Kyiv decided to halt the delivery of Russian gas to Slovakia through its territory.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.6669921875\">\n <div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n <div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n <div class=\"widget__contents\">\n <figure class=\"widget__figure\">\n <img class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////static.euronews.com//articles//stories//08//96//36//46//808x539_cmsv2_c98d0cad-c4ff-5725-996d-ae4c0112eb39-8963646.jpg/" alt=\"People gather to take part in a protest called &quot;Slovakia is Europe&quot; in Bratislava Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/96\/36\/46\/384x256_cmsv2_c98d0cad-c4ff-5725-996d-ae4c0112eb39-8963646.jpg 384w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/96\/36\/46\/640x427_cmsv2_c98d0cad-c4ff-5725-996d-ae4c0112eb39-8963646.jpg 640w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/96\/36\/46\/750x500_cmsv2_c98d0cad-c4ff-5725-996d-ae4c0112eb39-8963646.jpg 750w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/96\/36\/46\/828x552_cmsv2_c98d0cad-c4ff-5725-996d-ae4c0112eb39-8963646.jpg 828w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/96\/36\/46\/1080x720_cmsv2_c98d0cad-c4ff-5725-996d-ae4c0112eb39-8963646.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/96\/36\/46\/1200x800_cmsv2_c98d0cad-c4ff-5725-996d-ae4c0112eb39-8963646.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/96\/36\/46\/1920x1281_cmsv2_c98d0cad-c4ff-5725-996d-ae4c0112eb39-8963646.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 95vw, (max-width: 1024px) 80vw, (max-width: 1280px) 55vw, 728px\"\/>\n <figcaption class=\"widget__caption\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionWrap\">\n <span class=\"widget__captionText\">People gather to take part in a protest called &quot;Slovakia is Europe&quot; in Bratislava Friday, Jan. 10, 2025.<\/span>\n <span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">Jaroslav Novak\/Tlacova agentura SR<\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Fico has been critical of NATO and the EU, suggesting that Brussels should extend its majority voting system to cover more areas and limit the power of national vetoes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>He returned to power last year after his Smer party won a parliamentary election on a populist platform, including ceasing all aid to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russia's all-out invasion, now well into its third year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>During his tenure, he has vowed to block Kyiv from joining NATO and slammed EU sanctions on Russia.\u00a0<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1737633606,"updatedAt":1737642021,"publishedAt":1737637734,"firstPublishedAt":1737637734,"lastPublishedAt":1737637734,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/99\/74\/58\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_eaad3527-2679-5227-acab-370c0f95340a-8997458.jpg","altText":"Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico addresses the media during a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Bratislava, Slovakia, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. ","caption":"Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico addresses the media during a meeting with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Bratislava, Slovakia, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"Jaroslav Novak\/Tlacova agentura SR","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":576},{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/96\/36\/46\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_c98d0cad-c4ff-5725-996d-ae4c0112eb39-8963646.jpg","altText":null,"caption":null,"captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":null,"sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":683}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2974,"urlSafeValue":"osullivan-d","title":"David O'Sullivan","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"image","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2723728},{"id":2749554},{"id":2780060}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"4UZT4JrMjrs","dailymotionId":"x9cwjfa"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/25\/01\/23\/en\/250123_NWSU_57584853_57584881_70960_143505_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":70960,"filesizeBytes":9156846,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/25\/01\/23\/en\/250123_NWSU_57584853_57584881_70960_143505_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":70960,"filesizeBytes":13684462,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/1080p\/EN\/NW\/SU\/25\/01\/23\/en\/250123_NWSU_57584853_57584881_70960_143506_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":70960,"filesizeBytes":44934382,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"EBU","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122009","84111001","84112005","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","human_made_disasters_high_medium_and_low_risk","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics","society","society_general"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/01\/23\/slovak-pm-fico-accuses-opposition-of-coup-attempt-following-protests-and-no-confidence-mot","lastModified":1737637734},{"id":2734422,"cid":8990876,"versionId":3,"archive":0,"housenumber":"250121_E3SU_57566369","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"FICO CONFIDENCE VOTE","daletPyramidId":null,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Slovak opposition accuses PM Fico of planning EU exit, sparking no-confidence vote row","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Slovak opposition alleges PM Fico plotting EU exit in parliament row","titleListing2":"Slovak Prime Minister Fico faces confidence vote amid EU exit accusations","leadin":"Slovakia's Moscow-friendly prime minister has faced accusations by the country's largest opposition party of trying to take the country out of the EU.","summary":"Slovakia's Moscow-friendly prime minister has faced accusations by the country's largest opposition party of trying to take the country out of the EU.","keySentence":"","url":"slovak-prime-minister-fico-faces-confidence-vote-amid-eu-exit-accusations","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2025\/01\/21\/slovak-prime-minister-fico-faces-confidence-vote-amid-eu-exit-accusations","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Prime Minister Robert Fico survived an attempt from opposition parties to bring a no-confidence vote in the Slovak parliament on Tuesday after his opponents walked out of the debate in protest over attempts to make the session partly private. \n\nFico was expected to survive the vote due to his government holding the majority of seats in the parliament. However, the no-confidence motion never took place after the opposition walked out halfway through the session. \n\nThe prime minister asked the second half of the session should be held in private due to discussions over a confidential security report. \n\nThe move was slammed by the leader of the Progressive Slovakia party, Michal \u0160ime\u010dka, who said Fico was \"afraid to discuss his failures.\" He added he would be preparing to bring the vote again. \n\nDuring a debate before the vote, \u0160ime\u010dka said Fico's visit to Moscow in December and accused the ruling leftist populist Smer party of trying to take Slovakia out of the European Union. \n\n\"I see this as such an existential threat to our national interests that we do not need anything else to declare no-confidence,\" \u0160ime\u010dka said.\n\nFico recently commented that Slovakia should prepare for \"all possible crisis scenarios\" the EU could face in the short term, including the breakup of the 27-member bloc.\n\n\"The largest government party admits Slovakia's withdrawal from the EU as its possible political goal and solution,\" \u0160ime\u010dka said.\n\nFears of European superstate?\n\nFico has been critical of NATO and the European Union, suggesting that Brussels should extend its majority voting system to cover more areas and limit the power of national vetoes. \n\n\"What if a group of three-four large countries comes and says, ladies and gentlemen, either there will be a superstate where you lose all your national sovereignty ... or go your own way?\" Fico said. \"We are speaking of a development that can happen very fast.\"\n\nFico has also ramped up anti-Ukrainian rhetoric in recent months, following a gas dispute after the war-torn country refused to renew a contract with Moscow that allowed gas to flow through Ukraine to neighbouring European countries. \n\nThe prime minister has threatened to limit electricity supplies and aid for Ukrainian refugees and implied he would be prepared to block action towards helping Ukraine at the EU level. \n\nFico took the rare step for a European leader of visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before Christmas, in what he said was a reaction to Ukraine's move to halt Russian gas supplies. \n\nHe returned to power last year after his Smer party won a parliamentary election on a populist platform, including ceasing all aid to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russia's all-out invasion, now well into its third year. \n\nDuring his tenure, he has vowed to block Kyiv from joining NATO and slammed EU sanctions on Russia. \n\n","htmlText":"<p>Prime Minister Robert Fico survived an attempt from opposition parties to bring a no-confidence vote in the Slovak parliament on Tuesday after his opponents walked out of the debate in protest over attempts to make the session partly private. <\/p>\n<p>Fico was expected to survive the vote due to his government holding the majority of seats in the parliament. However, the no-confidence motion never took place after the opposition walked out halfway through the session. <\/p>\n<p>The prime minister asked the second half of the session should be held in private due to discussions over a confidential security report. <\/p>\n<p>The move was slammed by the leader of the Progressive Slovakia party, Michal \u0160ime\u010dka, who said Fico was \"afraid to discuss his failures.\" He added he would be preparing to bring the vote again. <\/p>\n<p>During a debate before the vote, \u0160ime\u010dka said Fico's visit to Moscow in December and accused the ruling leftist populist Smer party of trying to take Slovakia out of the European Union. <\/p>\n<p>\"I see this as such an existential threat to our national interests that we do not need anything else to declare no-confidence,\" \u0160ime\u010dka said.<\/p>\n<p>Fico recently commented that Slovakia should prepare for \"all possible crisis scenarios\" the EU could face in the short term, including the breakup of the 27-member bloc.<\/p>\n<p>\"The largest government party admits Slovakia's withdrawal from the EU as its possible political goal and solution,\" \u0160ime\u010dka said.<\/p>\n<h2>Fears of European superstate?<\/h2>\n<p>Fico has been critical of NATO and the European Union, suggesting that Brussels should extend its majority voting system to cover more areas and limit the power of national vetoes. <\/p>\n<p>\"What if a group of three-four large countries comes and says, ladies and gentlemen, either there will be a superstate where you lose all your national sovereignty ... or go your own way?\" Fico said. \"We are speaking of a development that can happen very fast.\"<\/p>\n<p>Fico has also ramped up anti-Ukrainian rhetoric in recent months, following a gas dispute after the war-torn country refused to renew a contract with Moscow that allowed gas to flow through Ukraine to neighbouring European countries. <\/p>\n<p>The prime minister has threatened to limit electricity supplies and aid for Ukrainian refugees and implied he would be prepared to block action towards helping Ukraine at the EU level. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8960320,8949224\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2025//01//04//thousands-protest-against-slovakian-pm-fico-over-meeting-with-putin-and-pro-moscow-stance/">Thousands protest against Slovakian PM Fico over meeting with Putin and pro-Moscow stance<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//business//2025//01//09//slovakia-ramps-up-anti-zelenskyy-rhetoric-amid-russian-gas-transit-spat/">Slovakia ramps up anti-Zelenskyy rhetoric amid Russian gas transit spat<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>Fico took the rare step for a European leader of visiting Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly before Christmas, in what he said was a reaction to Ukraine's move to halt Russian gas supplies. <\/p>\n<p>He returned to power last year after his Smer party won a parliamentary election on a populist platform, including ceasing all aid to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russia's all-out invasion, now well into its third year. <\/p>\n<p>During his tenure, he has vowed to block Kyiv from joining NATO and slammed EU sanctions on Russia. <\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1737463392,"updatedAt":1737474108,"publishedAt":1737469104,"firstPublishedAt":1737469104,"lastPublishedAt":1737474108,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/99\/08\/76\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_54a196cf-7dc9-54af-aeea-60ca65b26a52-8990876.jpg","altText":"Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a media conference, regarding Ukraine's decision to halt Russian gas supplies to Europe, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. ","caption":"Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks during a media conference, regarding Ukraine's decision to halt Russian gas supplies to Europe, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":1024,"height":576}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":2940,"urlSafeValue":"paternoster","title":"Tamsin Paternoster","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":29192,"slug":"robert-fico","urlSafeValue":"robert-fico","title":"Robert Fico","titleRaw":"Robert Fico"},{"id":10645,"slug":"slovakia-politics","urlSafeValue":"slovakia-politics","title":"Slovakia politics","titleRaw":"Slovakia politics"},{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":105,"slug":"european-union","urlSafeValue":"european-union","title":"European Union","titleRaw":"European Union"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2718130},{"id":2710528}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":[],"hasExternalVideo":0,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":0,"video":0,"videos":[],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":null,"additionalReporting":null,"freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","online":0,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/europe-news\/europe-news"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"my-europe","verticals":[{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":2,"slug":"my-europe","urlSafeValue":"my-europe","title":"Europe"},"themes":[{"id":"europe-news","urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News","url":"\/my-europe\/europe-news"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":56,"urlSafeValue":"europe-news","title":"Europe News"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":{"id":1750,"urlSafeValue":"bratislava","title":"Bratislava"},"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","84111001","84112005"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","law_gov_t_and_politics_legal_politics","law_government_and_politics"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/my-europe\/2025\/01\/21\/slovak-prime-minister-fico-faces-confidence-vote-amid-eu-exit-accusations","lastModified":1737474108},{"id":2730058,"cid":8978022,"versionId":1,"archive":0,"housenumber":"250116_NWSU_57528533","owner":"euronews","isMagazine":0,"isBreakingNews":0,"daletEventName":"SLOVAKIA KNIFE ATTACK","daletPyramidId":null,"channels":[{"id":1},{"id":2},{"id":4},{"id":5},{"id":10},{"id":12},{"id":14}],"status":2,"title":"Student detained after two people killed in school stabbing in Slovakia","titleSeo":null,"titleListing1":"Student detained after two people killed in Slovakia school stabbing","titleListing2":"Student detained after two people killed in school stabbing in Slovakia","leadin":"An 18-year-old suspect fled the scene but was later detained by police.","summary":"An 18-year-old suspect fled the scene but was later detained by police.","keySentence":"","url":"student-detained-after-two-people-killed-in-school-stabbing-in-slovakia","canonical":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2025\/01\/16\/student-detained-after-two-people-killed-in-school-stabbing-in-slovakia","masterCms":"v2","plainText":"Two people were killed and one was injured at a school in northern Slovakia on Thursday after a student stabbed a teacher and two classmates, authorities said. \n\nThe stabbings took place in Spisska Stara Ves, a town of 17,000 people on the border with Poland, the Slovak rescue service said. \n\nThe suspect, an 18-year-old student, fled the scene after the attack but was arrested a short time later, according to authorities One person is in critical condition, they said.\n\nLocal media reported that the deputy head of the school was among the casualties.\n\nSeveral emergency medical crews were responding at the scene, Slovakian broadcaster TA3 reported. Further details were not immediately available.\n\nInterior Minister Mat\u00fa\u0161 \u0160utaj E\u0161tok and Education Minister Tom\u00e1\u0161 Drucker travelled to the town on Thursday to offer their condolences to the relatives of the victims. \n\nDrucker said he will work to protect students and teachers from similar attacks. \n\nPresident Peter Pellegrini called the attack \u201ca real tragedy\u201d and offered condolences along with Prime Minister Robert Fico to the relatives.\n\n\u201cNo problem in the world can be solved with a knife or any other weapon,\u201d Pellegrini said.\n\nSuch attacks are rare in Slovakia, although there have been a couple of similar incidents in recent years.\n\nIn 2020, a 22-year-old former student attacked a school in the town of Vrutky, killing the deputy principal of the high school and wounding five people, including two students. In 2022, a high school student attacked and injured a female pupil at a school in Novaky.\n\n","htmlText":"<p>Two people were killed and one was injured at a school in northern Slovakia on Thursday after a student stabbed a teacher and two classmates, authorities said. <\/p>\n<p>The stabbings took place in Spisska Stara Ves, a town of 17,000 people on the border with Poland, the Slovak rescue service said. <\/p>\n<p>The suspect, an 18-year-old student, fled the scene after the attack but was arrested a short time later, according to authorities One person is in critical condition, they said.<\/p>\n<p>Local media reported that the deputy head of the school was among the casualties.<\/p>\n<p>Several emergency medical crews were responding at the scene, Slovakian broadcaster TA3 reported. Further details were not immediately available.<\/p>\n<p>Interior Minister Mat\u00fa\u0161 \u0160utaj E\u0161tok and Education Minister Tom\u00e1\u0161 Drucker travelled to the town on Thursday to offer their condolences to the relatives of the victims. <\/p>\n<p>Drucker said he will work to protect students and teachers from similar attacks. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id=\"8857104,8848464\" data-event=\"widget_related\">\n <div class=\"c-widget-related__title\">\n <b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b>\n <\/div>\n <ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\">\n <li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//11//15//slovakias-draft-language-law-sparks-fears-over-rights-of-hungarian-minority/">Slovakia's draft language law sparks fears over rights of Hungarian minority<\/a><\/li><li class=\"c-widget-related__item\"><a class=\"c-widget-related__article\" href=https://www.euronews.com/"https:////www.euronews.com//my-europe//2024//11//17//slovakians-rally-against-populism-on-anniversary-of-fall-of-communist-system/">Slovakians rally against populism on anniversary of fall of Communist system<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>President Peter Pellegrini called the attack \u201ca real tragedy\u201d and offered condolences along with Prime Minister Robert Fico to the relatives.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo problem in the world can be solved with a knife or any other weapon,\u201d Pellegrini said.<\/p>\n<p>Such attacks are rare in Slovakia, although there have been a couple of similar incidents in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>In 2020, a 22-year-old former student attacked a school in the town of Vrutky, killing the deputy principal of the high school and wounding five people, including two students. In 2022, a high school student attacked and injured a female pupil at a school in Novaky.<\/p>\n","hashtag":null,"createdAt":1737038940,"updatedAt":1737048443,"publishedAt":1737041594,"firstPublishedAt":1737041594,"lastPublishedAt":1737041594,"expiresAt":0,"images":[{"url":"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/08\/97\/80\/22\/{{w}}x{{h}}_cmsv2_02b3fc2c-670d-5b81-92ea-2a930485c841-8978022.jpg","altText":"Police stand near the scene of a fatal stabbing at a secondary school in Spisska Stara Ves, Slovakia, on 16 January, 2025. ","caption":"Police stand near the scene of a fatal stabbing at a secondary school in Spisska Stara Ves, Slovakia, on 16 January, 2025. ","captionUrl":null,"captionCredit":"AP Photo","sourceUrl":null,"sourceCredit":null,"callToActionUrl":null,"callToActionText":null,"width":3703,"height":2083}],"authors":{"journalists":[{"id":3272,"urlSafeValue":"sullivan","title":"Rory Sullivan","twitter":null}],"producers":[],"videoEditor":[]},"keywords":[{"id":13518,"slug":"stabbing","urlSafeValue":"stabbing","title":"stabbing","titleRaw":"stabbing"},{"id":7891,"slug":"slovakia","urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","titleRaw":"Slovakia"},{"id":12724,"slug":"school","urlSafeValue":"school","title":"school","titleRaw":"school"}],"widgets":[{"slug":"related","count":1}],"related":[{"id":2719098},{"id":2820394}],"technicalTags":[],"externalPartners":{"youtubeId":"IlxilXICaqQ","dailymotionId":"x9ch7b6"},"hasExternalVideo":1,"hasInternalOrExternalVideo":1,"video":1,"videos":[{"format":"mp4","quality":"md","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/med\/EN\/NW\/SU\/25\/01\/16\/en\/250116_NWSU_57528533_57528594_28680_182203_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":28680,"filesizeBytes":3844670,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"hd","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/EN\/NW\/SU\/25\/01\/16\/en\/250116_NWSU_57528533_57528594_28680_182203_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":28680,"filesizeBytes":5773886,"expiresAt":0},{"format":"mp4","quality":"1080p","type":"normal","url":"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/1080p\/EN\/NW\/SU\/25\/01\/16\/en\/250116_NWSU_57528533_57528594_28680_182203_en.mp4","editor":"","duration":28680,"filesizeBytes":17728574,"expiresAt":0}],"liveStream":[{"startDate":0,"endDate":0}],"scribbleLiveId":0,"scribbleLiveRibbon":0,"isLiveCoverage":0,"sourceId":1,"sources":[],"externalSource":null,"additionalSources":"AP","additionalReporting":"","freeField1":null,"freeField2":"","type":"normal","displayType":"default","program":{"id":"world","urlSafeValue":"world","title":"World News","online":1,"url":"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/programs\/world"},"season":"","episode":"","episodeId":"","vertical":"news","verticals":[{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"}],"primaryVertical":{"id":1,"slug":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"News"},"themes":[{"id":"news","urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World","url":"\/news\/international"}],"primaryTheme":{"id":1,"urlSafeValue":"news","title":"World"},"advertising":0,"advertisingData":{"startDate":0,"endDate":0,"type":null,"slug":null,"title":null,"disclaimerLabelKey":null,"sponsor":null,"sponsorName":null,"sponsorUrl":null,"sponsorLogo":"","sponsorLogoReverse":"","isDfp":0},"geoLocation":{"lat":0,"lon":0},"location":1,"continent":{"id":104,"urlSafeValue":"europe","title":"Europe"},"country":{"id":252,"urlSafeValue":"slovakia","title":"Slovakia","url":"\/news\/europe\/slovakia"},"town":[],"contextualSignals":{"doubleVerify":{"ids":["80023001","80122003","80122006","80122022","80222003","80222006","80222022","84051001","84052002","84211001","84212001"],"slugs":["aggregated_all_moderate_content","crime_high_and_medium_risk","crime_high_medium_and_low_risk","death_and_injury_low_risk","death_and_injury_medium_risk","education","education_7_12_education","society","society_general","violence_high_and_medium_risk","violence_high_medium_and_low_risk"]}},"grapeshot":null,"versions":[],"programDeliverable":{"slug":"sujet","format":"default"},"showOpinionDisclaimer":0,"allViews":0,"allViewsMeta":{"pointOfView":[],"survey":[],"tweetId":0,"tweet2NdId":0,"displayOverlay":0},"storyTranslationMethod":[],"localisation":[],"autoPublished":0,"autoLocalised":0,"isReviewed":0,"path":"\/2025\/01\/16\/student-detained-after-two-people-killed-in-school-stabbing-in-slovakia","lastModified":1737041594}]">

More about this topic

Slovakia

Slovak health minister: 13 remain in hospital after train collision

Prime Minister Robert Fico has rejected the transport minister's resignation after a second similar incident in less than a month.

10/11/2025

Europe News

Fico in talks with Orbán about his Smer party joining Patriots

Viktor Orbán's political advisor, Balázs Orbán, told Euronews that the two Prime Ministers are discussing his Smer party joining the Patriots for Europe. If Fico joins, the Patriots could add two new prime ministers, including the Czech Republic Andrej Babiš.

24/10/2025

Slovakia

Would-be assassin given 21 years in prison for shooting Slovak PM Fico

Juraj Cintula, 72, was found guilty of terrorism by a court on Tuesday over the attack he carried out on 15 May 2024.

21/10/2025

Slovakia

Slovakia changes constitution to recognise only two sexes

The new amendment also makes it almost impossible for anyone other than married couples to adopt children.

26/09/2025

ADVERTISEMENT

Europe News

Slovakia aims for EU deal on ending Russian gas imports by Tuesday

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico told reporters in Bratislava he wants to resolve the issue involving the proposed phase-out of all Russian fossil fuels by Tuesday, adding that he spoke to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the matter.

12/07/2025

Slovakia

Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's Fico stands trial on terror charges

Juraj Cintula, 72, could face life behind bars if he is convicted over the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico last year.

08/07/2025

Culture news

Thousands protest against Ye’s headline slot at Slovak festival

The petition brands Kanye West “one of the world’s most prominent antisemites,” citing, among other things, his sale of a T-shirt featuring a swastika on his website.

24/06/2025

Europe News

Slovak protesters condemn PM Robert Fico's Moscow visit to meet Putin

Thousands of protesters gathered in Freedom Square in the capital, Bratislava, to voice their objection to PM Fico and oppose his anti-Europe, pro-Russian policies.

10/05/2025

Slovakia

Slovakia's PM slams EU over plan to end Russian gas imports by 2027

Robert Fico is not alone in voicing his discontent. Hungary, the other member state with close ties to Moscow, also hit out at the plan.

07/05/2025

Europeans' Stories

Is the EU properly prepared to fight foot-and-mouth disease?

Following cases in Germany earlier this year and Hungary a few weeks ago, Slovakia is currently facing a significant outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Is the European Union properly prepared to fight this extremely contagious virus that is terrorising some livestock farms?

30/04/2025

No Comment

Protests held across Slovakia over NGO legislation

Protesters gathered in Bratislava and cities across Slovakia on Thursday to oppose new legislation they claim could restrict free expression and undermine the work of NGOs.

25/04/2025

Europe News

Slovaks rally against legislation they say is harmful to NGOs

The rallies in Bratislava and five other cities are part of a wave of protests that was fuelled by Prime Minister Robert Fico's trip to Moscow in December for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

25/04/2025

Slovakia

Slovakia's Fico to attend Moscow's WWII parade despite EU warnings

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed Russian troops fighting in Ukraine as "heroes" at last year's 9 May event.

16/04/2025

Europe News

Gridlock at Slovakia border crossings over foot-and-mouth disease

A fresh outbreak of the disease was also detected in Hungary, some 15 kilometres from the Slovak border near Bratislava.

08/04/2025

Slovakia

Thousands of Slovaks protest against Russian-style law targeting NGOs

Citizens across Slovakia have been protesting for months over Prime Minister Robert Fico's shift towards Russia and away from the EU.

04/04/2025

Europe News

Slovakia declares state of emergency over foot and mouth disease cases

After at least four cases of the disease were detected, there are rising concerns about potential shortages of milk and meat.

26/03/2025

Europe News

Thousands protest against PM Fico and his pro-Russian policies

Thousands of protesters took to the streets across Slovakia to participate in regular demonstrations against incumbent Prime Minister Robert Fico and his pro-Russian policies.

22/03/2025

Slovakia

Slovakia at 'critical crossroads' as protests threaten pro-Moscow Fico

The protest movement aims to reaffirm the EU's importance for Slovakia as the country's government tilts towards Russia.

21/03/2025

Europe News

Peter Pellegrini reshuffles Slovakia's cabinet to retain majority

The appointment of Samuel Migaľ as the new minister of investments and regional development was a result of a deal agreed on by three parties in the governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Robert Fico.

19/03/2025

Slovakia

Suspect in Slovak PM Fico shooting may face terror charges, police say

Prosecutors will now assess the evidence and decide whether the suspect, identified only as J.C., will stand trial.

26/02/2025

Europe News

Anti-Fico protesters mark seventh anniversary of journalist's murder

Thousands of anti-government protesters commemorate the seventh anniversary of the killings of an investigative journalist and his fiancée in Slovakia.

22/02/2025

Slovakia

Slovakia's Fico boosts power through deal with coalition partners

The Slovak prime minister's parliamentary majority came under threat when several lawmakers defected from their posts.

20/02/2025

Europe News

Thousands in Slovakia protest against PM Fico's Russia stance

Fico's views on Russia have largely differed from the European mainstream. He ended Slovakia's military aid for Ukraine, criticised European Union sanctions on Russia and vowed to block Ukraine from joining NATO.

08/02/2025

Slovakia

Fico accuses opposition of 'coup attempt' after no-confidence bid

Slovakia's Moscow-friendly prime minister has faced accusations by the country's largest opposition party of trying to take the country out of the EU.

23/01/2025

Europe News

Slovak opposition alleges PM Fico plotting EU exit in parliament row

Slovakia's Moscow-friendly prime minister has faced accusations by the country's largest opposition party of trying to take the country out of the EU.

21/01/2025

Slovakia

Student detained after two people killed in Slovakia school stabbing

An 18-year-old suspect fled the scene but was later detained by police.

16/01/2025