On Monday, a fewer minutes before 6:00 p.m., people gather at Bratislava Freedom Square. For now, there are fewer — only a fewer dozen. Activists give out red chalk to protesters. On wet pavements appear inscriptions expressing outrage.
“Out with Fica”, “The Mafia will not regulation here”, “Slovakia is Europe” — these are any of the slogans that protest participants compose on concrete. Others besides appear: “We want a decent country for us and our children” or “You will not take this country distant from us”.
Some brought with them European or Slovak flags, others holding banners. “Slovakia does not belong to the government, but to the citizens,” 1 of them says. any people blow whistles. There's music in the background.
Dissatisfied citizens chant: “Enough Ficy!” The protest starts with a musical performance. Representatives of non-governmental organisations enter the stage. They're criticizing the amendment of the penal code. IAccording to the ruling coalition, the fight against mafia and corruption is importantly weakened. He is the first to talk to Zuzan Petkov from the halt Corruption Foundation. “Are you so angry?” he asks. People respond by chanting: Mafia! Mafia!
In his speech, Petkov criticizes the direction Slovakia is heading. “ Now we are threatened that Many criminals will not be punished. All due to the fact that Members had to be protected just before Christmas. His own and his own people, says Petkova. — They passed a law amendment rapidly and without discussion, which is harmful.
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However, this is not just the opinion of NGOs. Their opinion is shared by opposition parties, experts and even the lawyer General.
“On Friday, our hope for a fair finale of the case of John and Martina received a painful blow,” Petkova says. “The amendment may besides affect the evidence situation in this case.
Jan Kuciak's parents besides appear on stage. “ This is crazy,” says the father murdered journalist. He does not realize how specified a law could have been created and how it could have passed through parliament. Kuciak's parents have been waiting for justice for almost 8 years.
“We are here with you!” the protesters shout.
“We will not let Slovakia to decision to Moscow”
Last Thursday evening, the Slovaks took to the streets erstwhile Members voted on the amendment of the penal code. They wanted to express their opposition to amendments concerning, inter alia, the institution of the Crown Witness, as well as the punishment for " negating or undermining the post-war peace order".
"Parliaments of the ruling coalition voted that the evidence of the cooperating defendant, who had gained any benefit and had not told the fact or given all the applicable facts, could not be utilized as evidence," wrote the organisers of the civilian protest on social media.
This change was besides criticised by opposition representatives. They think In fact, the bill guarantees impunity to Tibor Gaspar, erstwhile Chief of Police and Vice-President of Parliament. “As opposition, we utilized all the resources we had to make it hard for them not to let Slovakia decision to Moscow,” said Michal Sipos, head of Slovakia’s parliamentary club, “for people.
protest in Bratislava, 15 December 2025.Joe Klamar / AFP
“This is the real night of the mob coup, literally, what the ruling coalition is doing. There's no law for people to aid them, This is where the law is created for the mob, the corrupt and those who bargain this country.Branislav Grohling, leader of the opposition organization Freedom and Solidarity, was outraged to turn him under the control of the mob after the bill passed last Thursday.
"A year that will be much more dangerous for Slovakian citizens"
Numerous NGOs called on president Peter Pellegrini not to sign the amendment and referred it to the Constitutional Court. "These changes were not the consequence of substantive or public discussion, were adopted in haste and alternatively of protecting justice, help circumstantial influential persons who are suspected or accused“ NGO officials criticize the regulations.
However, Boris Susko, Minister of Justice, does not see the amendment of the penal code of the problem. According to him, the bill introduces common sense and legal logic. “Nothing dramatic changes, the principles of justice are preserved,” said Susko. According to him, the amendment did not abolish the institution of the alleged Crown Witness or weaken the fight against corruption. The Minister besides added that the bill would not break the investigation, but, on the contrary, its aim is to strengthen the quality of governance.
“I think we are entering into a year that will be much more dangerous to Slovak citizens,” Zuzan Petkov laments in his conversation with News.sk. In her opinion, the country enters a time erstwhile much harder to detect corruption cases Or find brave men and officials who decide to testify. They will not be certain that the State will supply them with protection and that they will lose it.
“We are entering a year of revenge,” said the Foundation’s representative. According to her, all these changes have 1 goal: that the Home Minister and the Prime Minister may take revenge on investigators who have applied themselves to combat corruption.
On Tuesday, anti-government demonstrations were held throughout Slovakia under the slogan "Protest against the Mafia".
