The latest protests come after private meeting between Robert Fico and Vladimir Putin in December

The Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, has rejected calls for his resignation after tens of thousands demonstrated against his government’s policy shift closer to Russia.

About 60,000 people protested in the capital, Bratislava, on Friday and approximately 100,000 turned out for rallies in cities across the country, the largest demonstrations since Fico returned to power in 2023.

Around 60,000 people gather in Bratislava to oppose Robert Fico’s policy moves, with rallies also held in 20 other cities

Tens of thousands of protesters thronged a central square in the Slovak capital, waving banners opposing prime minister Robert Fico’s policy shift closer to Russia, amid rising tensions between the government and the opposition.

Organisers estimated 60,000 people attended Friday’s demonstration in Bratislava’s Freedom Square, about four times more than in the last demonstration two weeks ago.