Once again, demonstrators filled the streets of Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, to voice their opposition against a controversial draft law targeting non-governmental organizations (NGOs). This legislation has ignited fears of a crackdown reminiscent of Russian policies. On Thursday, thousands gathered outside parliament, chanting slogans such as “We won’t give up freedom” and “No to the Russian law.”
Concerns over transparency and civic freedom
The protests extended to several other cities, forming part of a broader movement that has persisted for months in response to Prime Minister Robert Fico’s shift in foreign policy towards Moscow, distancing Slovakia from the European Union. The proposed bill aims to classify specific NGOs as lobbyists, enforcing administrative requirements that include disclosing their income, expenditures, and donor identities. Yet, critics point out that the draft law lacks a clear definition of lobbying, raising alarms regarding its potential misuse.
According to Via Iuris, a legal NGO that has examined the proposed law, it not only breaches Slovakia’s constitution but also contravenes European Union regulations, positing that it is designed to “stigmatise and limit the activities of civic groups.” Legal expert Eva Kováčechová from Via Iuris emphasized, “This isn’t transparency — it’s surveillance.”
Political implications and future actions
The bill was introduced by the far-right Slovak National Party (SNS), one of the coalition partners in Fico’s government, and has been expedited through the legislative process, receiving backing from the administration. A vote on the draft is anticipated next week. President Fico has defended the law as a necessary measure to enhance transparency regarding NGO financing and operations. In a recent post on social media, he stated, “Stop scaring Slovaks with illusions, we do not accept any Russian laws.”
Russia first enacted its foreign agents law in 2012 and has progressively broadened its scope to suppress dissent, particularly following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This legislation mandates that organizations and individuals engaged in vaguely defined political activities and receiving foreign support register as “foreign agents.” Last year, Georgia’s adoption of a similar law provoked substantial protests, while Hungary’s version, introduced in 2017, was repealed in 2021 after being deemed illegal by an EU court.
As protests continue, further demonstrations are planned for Friday across Slovakia. The ongoing unrest has been fueled by Fico’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in December, prompting him to suggest the possibility of Slovakia exiting the EU and NATO. This prospect has alarmed many Slovaks who are firmly pro-European.
Fico’s government faces accusations from civil society groups and opposition parties regarding assaults on democratic principles, the judicial system, and the rule of law. Political analysts and activists have expressed concerns that Fico may be attempting to rally pro-Russian voters to fortify his hold on power while marginalizing the opposition, thereby seeking to govern without adequate oversight.