Protests Against Gov't Foreign Policy Erupt Across Slovakia

Bratislava, January 10 (TASR) - About 15,000 people gathered in Bratislava, with thousands in other towns and cities across Slovakia, to protest against actions of the government, which in their view undermine the rule of law and Slovakia's commitments to the EU and NATO, TASR learnt from Katarina Cibikova of the Peace for Ukraine civic association. At the beginning of the protest, a state of civic alert was declared, signed by civic associations and protest organisers from across the whole of Slovakia, joined also by expats abroad. In their joint declaration, the signatories underlined the responsibility of Slovak citizens over the future of Slovakia, and voiced their determination to continue organising non-violent protests in defence of democratic values and the pro-Western orientation of Slovakia. The signatories called on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to comply with the laws, respect institutions and principles of transparent governance. Another demand was for the government to reject any form of cooperation with Russia, stop its verbal attacks against Ukraine and refrain from attempts to change the foreign policy orientation of Slovakia. mf/mcs