Slovak PM Fico accuses opposition of 'coup attempt' following protests and no-confidence motion

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico on Thursday accused the opposition of an attempt to "organise a coup" amid escalating demonstrations against his alleged pro-Moscow stance and a push for a no-confidence vote in parliament.

During his address to the Slovak parliament, Fico also rejected claims about the country’s supposed change of foreign policy orientation and reaffirmed membership of both the EU and NATO.

Though Fico said his government wouldn’t take any action regarding the constitutional right to assemble and organise, he alleged the existence of a structure that wants to abuse protests to escalate tensions.

“We see a structure that wants to exploit these meetings and these rallies primarily for a possible clash with the security forces of the state,” he said, “There are even steps that are intended to interrupt the ability of the government of the Slovak Republic to do its job.”

“It is an attempt to organise a typical coup in Slovakia so that the government falls and those who cannot get into power through democratic parliamentary elections come to power.”

Recently, Fico has been accused by his opponents of trying to pull the country out of the EU.

On Tuesday, he survived an opposition attempt to bring a no-confidence vote to the Slovak parliament after his opponents walked out of the debate in protest over attempts to make the session partly private.

Unrest in Slovakia over Fico's ties to Moscow

Fico’s comments come as protests continue to erupt in Slovakia over his ties to Russia. The demonstrations started last December after he travelled to Moscow for a visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Fico has also threatened to cut financial aid for more than 130,000 Ukrainian refugees living in Slovakia after Kyiv decided to halt the delivery of Russian gas to Slovakia through its territory.

Fico has been critical of NATO and the EU, suggesting that Brussels should extend its majority voting system to cover more areas and limit the power of national vetoes.

He returned to power last year after his Smer party won a parliamentary election on a populist platform, including ceasing all aid to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russia's all-out invasion, now well into its third year.

During his tenure, he has vowed to block Kyiv from joining NATO and slammed EU sanctions on Russia.