Slovak minister blasts teens dressing up as Fico voters for Halloween

Most see Halloween costumes as a bit of harmless fun. However, for Slovakia’s interior minister, a group of teenagers from a Bratislava high school apparently hit a nerve.

Matúš Šutaj Eštok went ballistic after seeing the schoolkids, from a Bratislava high school, dressed up as senior citizens voting for Prime Minister Robert Fico for Halloween.

“What happened recently at one of Bratislava’s high schools … is a continuation of increasing tension in the society, which, thanks to progressive politicians, has already reached the schools,” said Šutaj Eštok in a video posted on Facebook on Sunday evening.

He blamed the opposition politicians for misusing kids for “political propaganda” as “the Nazi and the Communists did.”

With gray wigs, drawn-on wrinkles and glasses, the students held up “I love Fico” banners, parodying older supporters who are one of the most significant voter groups for the populist ruling coalition’s Smer party, represented by Fico.

“I condemn the mockery of anyone, including senior citizens, for their legitimate political opinion,” said Šutaj Eštok, adding that Slovakia doesn’t need “child fighters.”

The Union of Pensioners of Slovakia was also critical of the incident that it called “dehumanizing and cruel,” and plans to file a complaint with the country’s school inspectorate. The students of the high school apologized to pensioners for unintentionally hurting their feelings.

Following the assassination attempt on Fico in May, the politicians from the Slovak ruling coalition have continuously blamed tension in the deeply polarized society on the opposition politicians and independent media.