Good evening. Here is the Friday, January 24 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Slovakia is Europe: Thousands gather in the streets to show their disagreement with the government
An anti-government rally titled "Slovakia is Europe" was held at Freedom Square in Bratislava on January 24, 2025. Other protests took place in numerous other Slovak cities the same evening. (source: TASR - Martin Baumann)
Protests have been taking place this evening (Friday, January 24) in towns and cities across Slovakia. Their aim is to emphasise that Slovakia belongs in the European Union and NATO, the TASR newswire reports.
Protests occurred in Bratislava, Banská Bystrica, Nitra and Žilina, as well as in Nové Zámky, Prievidza and Humenné. A large demonstration had taken place on Thursday evening in Košice. Demonstrations are also being organised in some foreign capitals, said Katarína Cíbiková of the 'Peace for Ukraine' initiative, one of the organisers, as quoted by TASR.
"Our protests are always peaceful, and this will be no exception. We reject any violence or provocation and call on all participants not to respond to attempts by provocateurs to incite conflict. We are cooperating with both local and state police. Our volunteers are trained, and there will be a monitoring room on-site, with additional security experts overseeing safety," stated Peace for Ukraine.
"Enough of Fico," chanted the crowd in Bratislava as protest demands were read out. The demands of the protests in Bratislava are the same as those made two weeks ago. A fifth demand was added today: "We call on Prime Minister Robert Fico to resign his mandate and step down for the future of our country."
"I came to the protest in Bratislava because I'm horrified by where Slovakia has ended up since the Velvet Revolution," protester Ján Kráľ (52) told the Sme daily. He currently lives in Hainburg, Austria.
Kráľ said he has been attending protests regularly since last January. "I always send a photo to my parents in Bánovce nad Bebravou. Both of them are supporters of the governing coalition."
"My father takes it better, my mother worse," he explained, reflecting on their reactions to the protest photos. He denied that anyone is paying him for his participation, calling such claims paranoia from "coalition constitutional officials." Rejecting unsubstantiated claims made by members of the governing parties that a "coup" is being planned, he concluded: "I'm not afraid."
The organisers estimate that the turnout at the protest in Bratislava alone, where the city's large Freedom Square was filled to capacity, was approximately 60,000 people.
In other cities, thousands more people gathered, with total attendance nationwide estimated at around 100,000.
There were around 1,000 in Martin, 3,000 in Trnava, and approximately 5,000 people in both Poprad and Žilina. Approximately 10,000 people protested in Banská Bystrica. Streets in Nitra were filled with what observers said was likely the largest crowd the city had ever witnessed.
The first official protest in seven years is also taking place in one of the governing Smer party’s strongholds, Čadca, in northern Slovakia. Around 150–200 people gathered in the town's Matičný Square. A protest in Prievidza appears to have achieved a record turnout: approximately three times more people attended there than the previous protest, with an estimated crowd of around 1,000.
Related:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the anti-government protests in Slovakia, writing on the social media platform X: “Bratislava is not Moscow, and Slovakia is Europe.”
Christian leaders issued a statement regarding civil protests, expressing concern over government officials spreading hatred and dividing society. The initiative, Christians Against Hatred, emphasised the importance of love, respect and justice, and condemned political revenge, verbal and physical attacks, and the spread of fear. The main message of the statement was in support of peaceful protests and highlighted the contradiction between Christian values and the behaviour of some state officials, who – it said – by spreading hatred, political revenge and lies, are weakening the democratic foundations of society. Signatories warned of Slovakia’s drift from democratic principles and called for a return to values of dignity, justice and truth. The statement, supported by prominent religious and civic figures, endorsed peaceful protests and urged unity to restore trust and justice in the country.
An automobile protest titled 'Slovakia is not Ukraine' took place on the Tyršovo Embankment in Bratislava. It was organised by Marek Šoun, who says he disagrees with the activities of the 'Peace for Ukraine' association. Around 40 people took part, including controversial lawyer Zoroslav Kollár, Denník N reported.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Opinion: We publish a postcard from eastern Slovakia, where The Slovak Spectator’s James Thomson spent Christmas and New Year. His days revolved around hauling wood for the boiler, navigating the local library's selection of conspiracy-laden books and hidden literary gems, dodging wolves, and eating some delicious food.
Architecture: The Slovak National Gallery (SNG) is hosting an exhibition dedicated to architect Vladimír Dedeček, showcasing his work – including the recently refurbished Bridge, which serves as the exhibition venue.
Historical loss: A memorial in Bratislava honouring victims of the communist-era Border Guards, and featuring original barbed wire from the Iron Curtain, has been stolen, sparking outrage and a call for justice.
Futuristic car: Discover the futuristic Lancia Stratos Zero, a stunning 1970s concept car now on display at the Double Red Cars museum in Brezno, and learn about its incredible design and unique quirks.
Good news: A fresh selection of feel-good stories has arrived to brighten your day! Slovak folk is thriving in an improbable place – tattoo art, see a charming village enveloped in fog, and influencer David Dobrik is using his Slovak roots to bypass the US TikTok ban.
If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, why not buy our online subscription with no ads? As well as getting access to all our online stories, we'll send a print copy of the monthly print edition of The Slovak Spectator to your home in Slovakia. Thank you!
FEATURE STORY
Slovak game developer goes from PlayStation fan to restoring iconic titles
(source: Pexels)
Almost every gamer has probably considered, at least once, what it would be like to become a game developer and modernise their favourite title. Monika Erősová, a Slovak video game fan-turned-developer based in London, did just that. Erősová led the remastering of the iconic Legacy of Kain series, fulfilling her childhood dream of working in the gaming industry.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Award-winning Nordic cinema awaits you this weekend
The Kino Lumiere cinema. (source: Marko Erd)
The Scandi Film Festival, which kicked off on Wednesday, continues at cinemas across Slovakia throughout the weekend. You can watch a selection of award-winning films from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland. Attendees can also engage with the filmmakers behind these contemporary works. For more details about this event and other tips for what to do over the weekend, click here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovakia is under a massive cyberattack targeting the state-run health insurer Všeobecná Zdravotná Poisťovňa (VšZP), Prime Minister Robert Fico announced, warning of potential disruption to ePrescriptions and medical approvals. He linked the attack to a coordinated effort by foreigners, NGOs and opposition groups whom he alleges are working to destabilise the government. Fico has also claimed that recent incidents, including a cyberattack on the land registry, are part of a broader attempt to undermine Slovakia. He has produced no evidence to support his claims. (TASR)
The Hlas party, a key member of the governing coalition, expelled two of its MPs, Samuel Migaľ and Radomír Šalitroš, on Friday. The pair were among four Hlas lawmakers who had rebelled in the coalition. Absent from the party’s statement were the names of the other two dissenters, Ján Ferenčák and Roman Malatinec. This move leaves the coalition with an official tally of 77 MPs, precariously perched just above the parliamentary majority threshold of 76 in Slovakia’s 150-member legislature. Yet questions remain over the four MPs’ next steps and their potential impact on the government’s slim majority. Hlas justified the expulsions by accusing the MPs of prioritising personal ambitions—such as ministerial and parliamentary leadership roles—over party values. The coalition, led by PM and Smer party leader Robert Fico, also faces challenges from within: three MPs have already broken away from the Slovak National Party’s parliamentary caucus, further weakening the coalition’s grip. Without the support of these MPs, Fico’s government risks losing its parliamentary majority.
The opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS) launched the 'We Won't Allow It' campaign to stress Slovakia's commitment to remaining in the EU, responding to coalition leaders' remarks. PS leader Michal Šimečka and others condemned the suggestion, floated by a deputy speaker of parliament and endorsed by Prime Minister Robert Fico, that Slovakia might have to leave the EU, instead emphasising the EU's importance for Slovakia's prosperity and security. He said over 60,000 people have signed a public call for the government to maintain the country's foreign policy direction. The campaign also challenges the current government's actions, including Fico's recent visit to Moscow, which it argues harms Slovakia's ties with allies. (TASR)
The Transport Ministry annulled a building permit issued by the Bratislava Self-Governing Region (BSK) for the Ružinovská tram line modernization, citing procedural errors and missing environmental measures. The appeal was filed by the Association of Housing Self-Governments. The €95-million project, set to begin in 2026 with EU funding, will be reconsidered by BSK. A public tender is underway. (Aktuality.sk)
A police van with a digital banner was parked on Freedom Square, near the Government Office, during the protest on Friday, January 24. The banner displayed a request from the police asking people to maintain a 50-metre distance from parliament. (Sme) (source: SME)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: Despite a sunny day in many places on Friday, the weekend weather will be cloudy, with possible morning fog. There is a high possibility of precipitation and the creation of black ice, especially in the mornings, so be careful if leaving your home early this weekend. Daytime temperatures will range from 5°C to 10°C, but in central and eastern Slovakia could be as low as 0°C to 5°C. Sunday will be a bit warmer, with a possible high of 13°C. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA: This weekend, it's Gemma, Tamara and Bohuš who get to celebrate! Saturday, January 25 - Gemma; Sunday, January 26 - Tamara; Monday, January 27 - Bohuš.
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