Branislav Gröhling refuses to speak at Bratislava protest due to Hungarian Alliance presence

Branislav Gröhling, the chairman of the political party Sloboda a Solidarita (SaS), announced on Saturday via social media that he will not speak on stage at the upcoming protest in Bratislava. The event is organized by Progressive Slovakia (PS) and is scheduled to take place at Námestie SNP on Tuesday, November 17, at 17:30. While Mr. Gröhling will not participate as a speaker, he intends to attend the protest as a participant in the crowd.

Political friction over the protest lineup

The decision by Mr. Gröhling is based on his refusal to stand on the same stage as representatives of the Hungarian Alliance. Mr. Gröhling stated that he refuses to legitimize certain politicians just to appear as an unifier of the opposition. In his announcement, Mr. Gröhling claimed that the Hungarian Alliance collaborated with the Republic party during municipal elections. Furthermore, Mr. Gröhling stated that police are currently finding tens of millions of euros in cash held by people close to Viktor Orbán.

The presence of the Hungarian Alliance has caused tension among the invited parties. László Gubík, the chairman of the Hungarian Alliance, responded to the announcement by stating that Mr. Gröhling is trying to drive the Hungarian Alliance away from the November podium and is ignoring his responsibility one year before elections. There have been conflicting reports regarding political cooperation; Mr. Gröhling claimed that the Hungarian Alliance could join a coalition with Smer-SD after elections, while the Hungarian Alliance has previously issued a denial of such cooperation.

Opposition participation and context

The protest is part of the opposition's response to the current government led by Prime Minister Robert Fica. Progressive Slovakia (PS) invited several parties to the demonstration, including the Christian Democratic Party, Democrats, Slovakia Movement, Sme rodina, and the Christian Union - Za ľudí. However, several invited groups have declined to participate. Igor Matovič, the leader of Slovakia Movement (Hnutie Slovensko), declined the invitation. Both Sme rodina and the Christian Union - Za ľudí also declined the invitation to the protest.

The political landscape remains complex, with various parties navigating different alliances. Slovakian media reported on previous negotiations involving Zsolt Simon and a Republic coordinator in Lučenec prior to municipal elections. As the protest approaches, the refusal of key leaders to share a platform highlights the existing divisions within the opposition movement aimed at the government of Robert Fica.

Glossary

• Bratislava — Bratislava is the capital and largest city of Slovakia. It is situated in southwestern Slovakia on the river Danube.
• Democrats — The Democrats are a minor centre-right political party in Slovakia. The party was renamed to Demokrati.
• Slovakia Movement — Slovakia Movement is a populist political party in Slovakia. It was founded in 2011 and is also known as Ordinary People and Independent Personalities.
• Námestie SNP — Námestie SNP, or Slovak National Uprising Square, is an area in central Banská Bystrica, Slovakia. It serves as a hub of the city's life and is a popular place for locals and tourists due to its historical buildings and visual appeal.
• Sloboda a Solidarita (SaS) — Sloboda a Solidarita (SaS) is a classical liberal political party. It has been active in the Slovak political landscape since its founding.