The rallies took place in 16 major cities and towns, including the capital of Bratislava.
The latest wave of protests has been fueled by a trip by Fico to China where he met Russian President Vladimir Putin for the third time since the Russian all-out invasion of Ukraine. A package of austerity measures recently approved by the government further angered the protesters.
The government says the measures are necessary to cut a budget deficit that at 5.3% of GDP was the second highest last year among the countries using the common European currency, the euro. The deficit is expected to surpass 5% this year, exceeding the limit of 3% required by the European Union.
The measures include increases in health and social insurance, income tax for higher earners, and value added tax on some food products, as well as a possible reduction of national holidays.
Labor unions and other critics charged ordinary people will be hit most while businesses complain the measures do not include anything to boost the economy.
“The Slovaks are fed up with that,” Michal Šimečka, the head of the Progressive Slovakia party told the crowd at the Freedom Square in Bratislava.
His party led the protests in conjunction with three other political groups, Freedom and Solidarity, the Christian Democrats and the Democrats.
More about:
