Massive Protests in Slovakia Over Government's Plan to Close Top Prosecutors' Office

Thousands of Slovaks rallied in cities across the country, including Bratislava, to protest against controversial proposals by Prime Minister Robert Fico's new populist government. The proposed changes include abolishing the special prosecutor's office and returning prosecutions to regional offices, which haven't dealt with serious crimes for 20 years. Protesters expressed concerns about the potential disruption to the legal system and called the proposals a "pro-mafia package." President Zuzana Caputova and the European Commission have also expressed concerns about the rushed nature of the changes. Critics fear that Fico's return to power could lead Slovakia away from its pro-Western course.