Slovakians rally against populism on anniversary of fall of Communist system

euronews (in English)

The protest united the opposition, including the liberal Progressive Slovakia, pro-business Freedom and Solidarity and the conservative Christian Democrats who all say Fico is a threat to democracy.

Transcript

00:00Thousands of protesters have gathered in Bratislava to oppose the policies of populist Prime Minister

00:07Robert Fico.

00:09The rally coincided with the 35th anniversary of the start of the Velvet Revolution that

00:14brought an end to communist rule in the former Czechoslovakia.

00:18The protest united opposition parties who all say Fico is a threat to democracy.

00:24We have to remind ourselves to protect freedom and democracy.

00:28That's why I'm very happy that people came here today to remember these values with us.

00:34Because it's not about freedom, democracy, but it's also about freedom of the media and

00:39independent journalism.

00:40It's not a matter of course, it's something that needs to be strengthened again and again.

00:45Fico came to power last year and his government has pushed through a plan to overhaul public

00:50broadcasting.

00:51Proof critics say would give the government full control of public television and radio.

00:56Moves to amend a penal code and eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor has led opponents

01:01to worry that he's leading Slovakia down a more autocratic path.

01:05Fico ended his country's military aid for Ukraine, opposes EU sanctions on Russia and

01:11says he'll block Ukraine's bid to join NATO.

01:14The Velvet Revolution took place from the 17th to the 28th of November 1989, one of

01:20several anti-communism movements in Eastern Europe at the end of the 80s.

01:24Demonstrations and strikes against the one-party government of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia

01:29included people from across the civilian spectrum.

01:33The result was the end of 41 years of one-party rule in the country, the dismantling of the

01:38centrally planned economy and the transition to a parliamentary democracy.

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