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.

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 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.