Crowd on SNP square demands immediate stop to corruption

Up to 2,000 people in the centre of Bratislava were demanding a stop to corruption and the stealing of public money on Wednesday, holding protest signs reading "We're not sheep" and "Fico step down", urging Prime Minister Robert Fico to resign. This was another in a series of protests organised by Independent MP Alojz Hlina along with three of his opposition colleagues Daniel Lipsic, Richard Sulik and Igor Matovic. The lawmakers repeatedly called for six demands to be met: among them also the immediate dismissal of Health Ministry office head Martin Sencak and director of a hospital in Piešťany Maria Domcekova over the recent CT scan scandal, the passing of new legislation to prevent the participation of garage firms in public tenders and the introduction of material responsibility for public officials. One of the demands has already been partially accommodated, as Health Minister Viliam Cislak declared earlier in the day that he will propose an ousting of Martin Sencak at the next Government's session. The demonstration concluded with the Slovak anthem and after 6p.m. people peacefully dispersed. However, the opposition advertised that protests will continue also after the Christmas holidays.