Tens of thousands of protesters thronged a central square in the Slovak capital on Friday, waving banners opposing Prime Minister Robert Fico's policy shift closer to Russia, after tensions between the government and the opposition rose.

There will be more and more of us. Those who want to live in our little Slovakia, but in a civilized Europe,” said Eva Kulová, 84, who helped topple Communism.

Tens of thousands of people in Slovakia have gathered at squares and street across the country to voice their opposition to the pro-Russia policies of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico.

BRATISLAVA - Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico rejected protesters' calls for his resignation on Jan 25 after tens of thousands demonstrated against his government's policy shift closer to Russia.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico refuses to resign after massive protests against his pro-Russia shift. Demonstrators, rallying under 'We are Europe', demand a return to pro-European policies. Fico defends his foreign policy,

On Friday evening, January 24, protests were held in cities across Slovakia against the policies of the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, according to the Ta3 TV channel and the Aktuality publication.

Slovakia's opposition accused Prime Minister Robert Fico on Tuesday of laying the groundwork to take the country out of the European Union, but dropped its no-confidence motion to dismiss him and his leftist-nationalist government.

Protests erupted in more than 20 Slovak cities on Jan. 24 under the slogan "Slovakia is Europe," targeting the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovak media Aktuality reported.