Pro-Russian Premier and His Austerity Plan Spur Slovak Protests

Tens of thousands took to the streets across Slovakia on Tuesday, protesting against Prime Minister Robert Fico’s pro-Russian tilt and proposed austerity measures.

Slovaks joined protests in 19 cities to criticize Fico for pulling the country away from the European mainstream and his plan to narrow one of the European Union’s highest public finance deficits, according to opposition organizers around the country.