A scandal broke out in Poprad during a tense meeting between Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and high school students. Some students left the hall early, jingling their keys, after the head of government said: “If you are such heroes and so for the war – then go fight in Ukraine.”
You can watch the full video on Instagram on the page progresivne_sk
The meeting replaced a previous one, canceled after student protests with chalk writings. Many students came in black – as a symbolic protest.
The students said the atmosphere was extremely tense. Participants noted that the prime minister repeatedly mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed doubts about the democratic events of November 17, 1989.
Students asked Fico a series of uncomfortable questions, including about the case of a peer who was detained by police for chalk writings (You can read more about this in the news: Student protest in Slovakia turns into a national wave). The prime minister replied that he did not know who Muro was – the student in question.
The climax of the meeting was the prime minister's statements about Ukraine. During the discussion, he stated that if students supported the war, they could go to the front themselves. It was after these words that a significant portion of those present stood up from their seats and, accompanying their exit with the jingling of keys, demonstratively left the hall.
The incident quickly gained political resonance. Representatives of opposition parties viewed the situation as an example of poor communication with youth and emphasized the importance of respectful dialogue between the authorities and students. It was also discussed in political circles that young people have the right to peaceful protest and to express their own views.
