Slovak Director peter Bebjak Delivers Scathing Rebuke to Fico Government at Poprad Protest
Poprad, Slovakia – Slovak film director Peter Bebjak unexpectedly took the stage at a protest in Poprad to deliver a stark condemnation of the current Robert Fico government, stating that “The only thing that remains after you who are involved in the current rule is a shame.” Bebjak’s impromptu speech joined a chorus of criticism from prominent Slovakian figures voicing concerns over the nation’s political direction and societal divisions.
The protest, which featured speakers including Peter Tatár of the Milan Šimečka Foundation and Academy of Fine Arts Rector Bohunka Koklesová, highlighted growing anxieties over the government’s foreign policy alignment with Russia, treatment of women in public life, and the curtailing of freedoms. Bebjak’s blunt assessment encapsulates a broader sentiment of disillusionment with the current administration and its policies.
koklesová, in her address, specifically called out politicians from the Smer party – Robert Fico, Richard Glück, Erik Kalinak, and Ľubos Blaha – for what she described as a trend of disregard and aggression towards women, both in politics and society. She further expressed deep concern over Slovakia’s foreign policy,criticizing Fico’s perceived subservience to Vladimir Putin and the prioritization of the Druzhba pipeline over the lives of Ukrainians.
Tatár, a co-founder of the Milan Šimečka Foundation, lamented the cancellation of November 17th as a national holiday, noting a proposal to rename it “the day of the struggle for freedom and democracy.” He suggested the cancellation stemmed from a fear of those very principles.
Singer Katka Koščová concluded the event with a musical performance and a plea for reconciliation,urging protesters to “find the power to break the thread of hatred” and build a future together.
