The protesters gathered in cities throughout Slovakia to condemn the legislation approved by Parliament that, according to them, can limit freedom of expression and hinder the work of non -governmental organizations.
In Liberdade Square, in the capital of Bratislava, the protesters compared the measure with the Russian law with respect to the “foreign agents”, which has been criticized as repressive, before marching to the presidential palace to instill President Peter Pellegrini to veto the bill.
“No to Russian law,” they shouted, and “Slovakia is Europe.”
Parliament approved the measure on April 17, which is supported by Prime Minister Robert Fico, who often attacked the NGO.
Pellegrini, an ally of Fico, did not comment on the bill, although he recently questioned some of Fico’s policies.
The president of the country has until May 2 to analyze the legislation.
The measure will require, among other things, that NGOs publish reports with details about their leaders and any donor who has contributed more than 5,000 euros per year.
The Government states that the measure will make the financing and operation of civil groups more transparent.
According to an analysis of Via Iuris, a non -profit organization, the law violates the Constitution, including the right to privacy, freedom of expression and the right to free association, as well as the rules of the European Union.
Its objective is to “stigmatize and limit the activities of civic groups,” says the group.
The demonstrations in Bratislava and five other cities are part of a wave of protests that was fed by Fico’s trip to Moscow in December for conversations with Vladimir Putin, Russian resident.
I am planning to move to Moscow again to a military parade on May 9, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Nazi defeat of Germany in World War II.
No other European Union leader announced a similar plan.
According to the organizers, the protests are planned in 20 places in Slovakia and abroad on Friday.
I am, that it is a controversial figure in the country and abroad, I returned to power in 2003, after its leftist party has won the parliamentary elections with a pro-ruse and anti-EU platform.
ADVERTISINGHis government has decided to reformulate public transmission, giving the government control of public television and radio.
This measure, together with a change in the Criminal Code to eliminate a special anti -abal prosecutor, is, according to critics, proof that I am carrying out Slovakia on a more autocratic path.
