Mystery of missing PM: Fico's absence amid Moscow fallout
For 14 days, it has been unclear where Robert Fico is, as he has not appeared publicly since his trip to Moscow, reported the Dennik N newspaper's portal on Friday. Although he is not in Bratislava, a protest was organised in front of the government headquarters.
According to Dennik N journalists, a recording with Fico might have been made at the luxurious Capella Hotel in Hanoi, in the Madame Butterfly apartment. A portal reader noted details suggesting that the video may have been recorded there. Journalists contacted the hotel and asked to be connected to the apartment that Fico might be renting. The call was redirected, but no one answered. The receptionist explained that the individual is probably not in the room.
Fico's absence from the prime minister's headquarters did not directly affect the demonstration, which was organised in Bratislava on Friday at 6:00 p.m. against the prime minister's policies. The protest was partly against his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The protest was organised by the civic initiative Peace for Ukraine, aiming to oppose the direction in which the country is heading under the current prime minister. The organisers emphasised that Slovakia belongs to Europe, and Fico's visit to Moscow compromised Slovakia's democracy and place in the European Union. Specially prepared posters with the slogans "We are Europe" and "Treason" were visible in the crowd. Chants included "We will not be silent," "We won't surrender Slovakia," and "Enough of Fico."
The organisers announced that similar protests will take place next week in other Slovak cities. On 10 January, the demonstrators will return to the capital.
Fico defends Russia
The Prime Minister of Slovakia disagrees with the halt of Russian gas supplies through Ukraine. Fico assessed that this decision threatens the interests of the European Union, not Russia.
He believes that Kyiv's decision to stop the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine could cost Slovakia hundreds of millions of pounds.
The European Commission assured that the European gas infrastructure is sufficiently flexible to supply non-Russian originated gas to Central and Eastern Europe through alternative routes. Additionally, this infrastructure has been strengthened thanks to a significant increase in LNG import capacity since 2022.
