On Monday, a few minutes before 6 p.m., people gather on Bratislava's Freedom Square. For now, there are only a few of them – only a few dozen people. Activists hand out red chalk to protesters. Signs expressing outrage appear on wet sidewalks.
“Down with Fico”, “The Mafia will not rule here”, “Slovakia is Europe” – these are some of the slogans that the protest participants write on the concrete. There are also others: “We want a decent country for us and for our children” or “You will not take this country away from us.”
Some brought European or Slovak flags with them, others held banners. “Slovakia does not belong to the government, but to the citizens,” says one of them. Some people blow whistles. Music plays in the background.
Dissatisfied citizens chant: “Enough Ficy!” The protest begins with a musical performance. Then, representatives of non-governmental organizations enter the stage. They criticize the amendment to the Penal Code. ANDIn their opinion, the ruling coalition is significantly weakening the fight against the mafia and corruption. The first to speak is Zuzana Petkova from the Stop Corruption foundation. “Are you guys that angry too?” – he asks. People respond by chanting: Mafia! Mafia!
In her speech, Petkova criticizes the direction in which Slovakia is heading. – Now we are in danger of that many criminals will not be punished. And all because MPs had to protect themselves just before Christmas. Himself and his people, says Petkova. — They passed an amendment to the law quickly and without any discussion, which is harmful.
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However, this is not just the opinion of non-governmental organizations. Their opinion is shared by opposition parties, experts and even the prosecutor general.
— On Friday, our hope for a fair conclusion to Jan and Martina's case received a painful blow, says Petkova. — The amendment may also affect the evidentiary situation in this case.
Jan Kuciak's parents also appear on stage. “It's crazy,” says the father of the murdered journalist. He doesn't understand how such a law could have been created at all and how it could have passed through Parliament. Kuciak's parents have been waiting for justice for almost eight years without success.
-We are here with you! – the protesters shout.
“We will not allow Slovakia to be transferred to Moscow”
Last Thursday evening, Slovaks took to the streets as MPs voted on the amendment to the Criminal Code. They wanted to express their opposition to the amendments regarding, among others: the institution of a crown witnessas well as punishment for “denying or undermining the post-war peace order.”
“Members of the ruling coalition voted that the testimony of a cooperating defendant who obtained some benefits and did not tell the truth or did not provide all relevant facts could not be used as evidence,” wrote the organizers of the civic protest on social media.
Opposition representatives also criticized this change. They think that in fact, the law guarantees impunity for Tibor Gasparformer Commander-in-Chief of Police and Vice-President of Parliament. — As the opposition, we used all the means we had to make it difficult for them, to prevent Slovakia from moving to Moscow, said Michal Sipos, head of the Slovakia – For the People parliamentary club.
Protest in Bratislava, December 15, 2025.Joe Klamar / AFP
— This is a real night of mafia coup, literally what the ruling coalition is doing. Here you don't make laws for people to help them, this is where the law is created for the mafia, the corrupt and those who steal this countrywanting to put it under the control of the mafia – Branislav Grohling, the leader of the opposition Freedom and Solidarity party, was outraged after the bill was passed last Thursday.
“A year that will be much more dangerous for Slovak citizens”
Numerous non-governmental organizations called on President Peter Pellegrini not to sign the amendment and to refer it to the Constitutional Tribunal. “These changes were not the result of substantive or public discussion, they were adopted in haste and instead of protecting justice, they help specific influential people who are suspected or accused” – NGO representatives criticize the regulations.
However, Boris Susko, the Minister of Justice, does not see a problem in the amendment to the Penal Code. According to him, the act introduces common sense and legal logic. – Nothing dramatic changes, the principles of justice are preserved – assured Susko. According to him, the amendment did not abolish the institution of the so-called crown witness nor weakened the fight against corruption. The minister also added that the act will not cause a breakdown in investigations, but on the contrary – its aim is to strengthen the quality of governance.
— I think we are entering a year that will be much more dangerous for Slovak citizens, laments Zuzana Petkova in an interview with Aktuality.sk. In her opinion, the country is entering a time when it will be much more difficult to detect cases of corruption or find brave people and officials who will decide to testify. They will not be sure whether the state will provide them with protection and whether they will not lose it later.
“We are entering the year of revenge,” said the foundation's representative. According to her, all these changes have one goal: so that the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Prime Minister can take revenge on investigators who contributed to the fight against corruption.
On Tuesday, anti-government demonstrations took place throughout Slovakia under the slogan “Protest against the mafia”.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
