The demonstration came after allegations of government corruption in purchasing face masks and ventilators surfaced last month.
The government has denied wrongdoing.
Protesters also accuse the government of using coronavirus to restrict personal freedoms.
Slovenian citizens wearing protective masks ride their bikes as they block the centre of capital Ljubljana to protest against the centre-right government, accusing it of corruption and of using the pandemic to restrict freedom on 8 May, 2020. Photograph: Jure Makovec/AFP via Getty Images
Slovenian citizens wearing protective masks ride their bikes as they block the centre of capital Ljubljana to protest against the centre-right government, accusing it of corruption and of using the pandemic to restrict freedom on 8 May, 2020. Photograph: Jure Makovec/AFP via Getty Images
People having drinks on terraces look at Slovenian citizens, some wearing protective masks, riding their bikes as they block the centre of capital Ljubljana in protest, May 8, 2020. Photograph: Jure Makovec/AFP via Getty Images
Cyclists sounded horns and shouted “thieves, thieves”, following allegations of government corruption in purchasing face masks and ventilators reported by TV Slovenia last month.
The protest, organised by civil society groups, was the largest in recent weeks. Cyclists staged a smaller demonstration in Maribor, Slovenia’s second city, on Friday.
The cyclists carried Slovenian flags and held banners saying “Raise workers’ wages”, “Careful, the government is falling”, and “Stronger together”. Most wore face masks.
“I want this government to go. They are taking away our future,” said a young protester who did not want to give her name for fear of being fined for breaking rules against public gatherings during the epidemic.
Police fenced off parliament while a police helicopter flew above the protesters.
“We call upon people to respect decrees aimed at protecting public health,” police said. They gave no immediate estimate of the number of protesters but reported no violence.
Slovenia imposed a wide-ranging lockdown in mid-March. So far it has confirmed 1,450 coronavirus cases and 100 deaths.
The government started lifting restrictions on April 20 when car service centres and some shops reopened, while bars and restaurants have been allowed to serve food outdoors since Monday.
Next week, public transport will resume gradually and some pupils will return to school on May 18.
People must still wear face masks in indoor public places and stand at least 1.5 meters apart in any public space.
The government has set aside 3 billion euros ($3.25 billion) to help citizens and companies hit by the coronavirus.
Slovenia’s economy is expected to contract by about 8% this year although the fall could exceed 15% if lockdown measures last longer than expected, according to the government’s UMAR macroeconomic institute.
Source: REUTERS