In letter, psychiatrists tell Fico to lead or to leave office

More than a hundred psychiatrists and psychologists have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Robert Fico, expressing grave concerns over the country’s political direction under his leadership. The letter, penned by professors Jozef Hašto and Anton Heretik, warns of a deteriorating political culture, polarisation, and democratic backsliding.

“Your actions are fostering a negative emotional atmosphere and dividing society,” the authors wrote on January 19, citing incidents such as verbal attacks on opposition figures’ families and dismissive comments about young critics of Fico’s policies.  

They accused the premier of adopting an increasingly authoritarian approach, manipulating facts, and discrediting journalists and citizens. The experts also criticised the government’s neglect of critical sectors, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure, as Fico’s administration focuses on consolidating power. They questioned his ambiguous stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing his visits to Moscow and interactions with Vladimir Putin.  

“You are supporting actions that run counter to the values of the European Union and NATO,” the letter charged.

The letter also touched on Fico’s emotional and psychological state following an alleged assassination attempt in May 2024, cautioning that such experiences can have lasting impacts. It concluded with a call for self-reflection and a change in behaviour, even suggesting that Fico step down from office.

Fico dismissed the letter on Sunday, accusing its authors of politicising their professions. “You have long been public opponents of this government,” he wrote in response, calling the appeal “a disgraceful abuse of your titles for political purposes.” 

A letter to PM Mečiar

In a defiant social media post, Fico claimed the letter elicited neither respect nor concern, but rather “disrespect and unease.” He likened the move to past attempts to unseat leaders like Vladimír Mečiar and suggested it mirrored foreign tactics against “successful politicians.”  

In fact, Hašto and Heretik wrote a similar letter in May 1998. Participants of the third Slovak Psychiatric Congress then urged Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar to withdraw from politics, warning of the risks to democracy under his leadership. In an open letter addressed to Mečiar, the group declared: “Our concerns about the collapse of democracy in our country no longer allow us to remain silent. Nor does our conscience, as specialists in mental health, permit us to ignore how you have been wielding power.”

Slovakia was labelled a “black hole” in the 1990s by US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright due to democratic backsliding, corruption, and isolation under PM Mečiar. Authoritarian governance, economic stagnation, and political scandals left the country lagging behind its neighbours in EU and NATO integration.

Fico warned that international professional bodies would be informed of the experts’ actions.  

A day before this open letter was published, the Slovak Chamber of Psychologists released a statement urging politicians to recognise their responsibility and refrain from making remarks that could incite violence.    

A letter from last summer

Last summer, the rectors of Comenius University and the Slovak University of Technology, alongside the head of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, raised alarms over the state of public discourse in Slovakia. In a rare joint statement, they expressed deep concerns about the growing vulgarisation of societal debate and the erosion of dialogue, respect, and decency in public spaces.

“What matters is no longer what is said or written, but who is speaking and under what circumstances,” the experts wrote. “Professional criteria are becoming redundant, institutions are being weakened, and society is increasingly tense and irritable.”

The academics called on public institutions, the media, and public figures to reflect on the weight and impact of their words and actions.