Fico sees coup plot behind protests, but Slovaks take to the streets anyway

Prime Minister Robert Fico keeps claiming that Slovakia is facing an orchestrated attempt to destabilise his government, alleging that opposition-linked NGOs are plotting a “Slovak Maidan” as part of a broader, foreign-backed strategy. Citing a secret service (SIS) report he described as evidence-based, Fico issued a stark warning during a press conference on Wednesday, following a cabinet meeting.

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Rumours: Smer MP Dušan Jarjabek has invoked a notorious rumour from November 1989 ahead of planned protests on Friday, referencing the fabricated story of student Martin Šmíd, who was falsely reported to have died during a police crackdown. The story contributed to the fall of the communist regime. “Beware that some lunatic doesn’t try to exploit emotions in the same way again,” Jarjabek wrote on social media. In 2018, Prime Minister Robert Fico alleged an attempted coup and pointed the finger at George Soros. At the time, a fake news story circulated about a mysterious Marcello Fabiani – allegedly Soros’s “right-hand man” and an expert in orchestrating uprisings – arriving in Slovakia. No such person ever existed. Speculation later suggested the name was a distorted version of Marcela Fabiánová, a former parliamentary assistant to Robert Kaliňák, the current defence minister and a Smer stalwart.

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Pensioners for PM Fico, others for a democratic Slovakia: Slovakia’s Pensioners’ Union (Jednota dôchodcov) and other groups have thrown their support behind the government’s attack on non-governmental organisations. Following a meeting with Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer), they signed a statement criticising initiatives such as Peace for Ukraine (Mier Ukrajine), the Open Society Foundation, Not in Our Town (Nie v našom meste), and Open Culture (Otvorená kultúra). “These organisations damage the reputation and character of the entire civic sector,” the statement declared. In contrast, student and youth initiatives are calling for a democratic and pro-European Slovakia. Alongside psychiatrists and psychologists, representatives of the academic community have also sent an open letter to Robert Fico’s government. The signatories warn that the coalition’s actions risk undermining the fundamental principles of democracy. (Denník N) 

What to expect on Friday:  While anti-government protests are anticipated to erupt across Slovakia on Friday evening, the eastern city of Košice has already stolen a march. On Thursday, approximately 10,000-15,000 people took to the streets for a demonstration titled “We’re joining forces against the evil”. The event was spearheaded by Mier Ukrajine (Peace for Ukraine) – often attacked by PM Fico – and other civic initiatives. The mood was defiant, with placards making sharp political jabs. One read: “You’ve turned the Tatra Tiger into a dead fish on the Danube,” – a stark comparison between Slovakia’s economic success during the second tenure of Mikuláš Dzurinda (2002-2006) and the governance under Robert Fico. Protesters voiced their discontent with Fico’s Moscow-friendly stance, Euroscepticism, and his failure to address critical issues like brain drain and polarisation. Concerns also ran high about the erosion of Slovak culture and environmental degradation under his leadership. Protest organisers, following consultations with security forces, anticipate the demonstrations will proceed peacefully on Friday. (Korzár)

Page two contains information about two of the front organizations behind the protests. I didn’t find any evidence of Open Society Foundations being behind the protests, as some have claimed, but I wouldn’t doubt it. Open Society and the U.S. government’s agenda go hand in hand. As for Open Culture, it’s fairly new, and I couldn’t find much about it in English.