BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Thousands of people rallied across Slovakia on Tuesday to protest against the latest moves by the government of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico to dismantle an independent office that protects people who report corruption and other criminal activity and change the criminal code.
Rallies were held in 10 neighborhoods, including the capital Bratislava, with protesters massaging Fico in Freedom Square: “Resign, resign.”
Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia, with people regularly rallying to protest his pro-Russian and other policies.
This time, members of parliament loyal to Fico’s coalition government last week approved a plan to abolish the whistleblower protection office, a move that has angered people despite criticism at home and abroad.
In another controversial step, they voted to ban the use of evidence collected from suspects who cooperate with law enforcement authorities in exchange for lower sentences. This evidence cannot be used if they lied in any other case.
A banner in the crowd read: “Fico government helps the mafia.”
Michal Šimečka, leader of the progressive Slovak opposition party that organized the rally, told the crowd: “Slovakia is the only country where the government has approved laws to make life easier for criminals and the mafia.”
People chanted “shame, shame”.
The opposition charged that the changes were aimed at helping a key Fico ally, parliamentary deputy speaker Tibor Gaspar, who should stand trial on charges of forming a criminal group.
Protesters called on President Peter Pellegrini, usually an ally of Fico, to veto the changes. Pellegrini must sign the bill into law, but the government has the majority to overturn it.
Fico’s critics claim that under his government Slovakia is following instructions under Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
László Gubík, leader of the Hungarian Union party, which represents Slovakia’s 450,000-strong Hungarian minority, joined the anti-government protests for the first time.
