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,

The latest wave of anti-government rallies was fuelled by Robert Fico’s recent trip to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Prime Minister Robert Fico on Saturday accused foreign countries of meddling in Slovakia's internal affairs and threatened to expel people from the country, a day after huge protests against his government.