Zuzana Caputova

With 496 votes for, 70 against and 64 abstentions, the European Parliament adopted a resolution questioning Slovakia’s ability to fight corruption and protect the EU budget should the reform of the criminal code proposed by the new government of Robert Fico be adopted.

The resolution concluded the debate of 13th December 2023.

MEPs expressed particular concern over the “unjustified use” of a fast-track procedure for the criminal code reform and the dissolution of the Special Prosecutor’s Office that handles corruption cases and serious crimes.

These changes, MEPs say, threaten the integrity of judicial processes and undermine the EU’s fight against fraud’.

MEPs also called on the Slovak government to reconsider the proposed changes in whistleblower legislation, as the new rules could be used to retroactively strip them of protection.

MEPs stress that any criminal law reform must ensure the continuation of ongoing criminal cases and the effectiveness of new ones.

Parliament further urges the government to address, and prevent the misuse of, the long-standing issue of Paragraph 363 of the Criminal Procedural Law, which currently allows the General Prosecutor to decline to prosecute.

Concerns about civil society & media freedom.

MEPs condemned the inappropriate and disrespectful language used by Prime Minister Fico towards a law student engaged in an academic exchange on the state of rule of law, and urge all political leaders to engage constructively and respectfully with the public.

Parliament expressed concerns over plans to adopt legislation undermining the civic space, restricting the work of NGOs and stigmatising organisations receiving foreign funding.

MEPs are also worried about the planned restructuring of Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS) and regret the decision of Prime Minister Robert Fico and several government officials to no longer talk to key media outlets.

They are demanding an end to verbal attacks on individuals and media representatives, which in the past have contributed to an environment in which violent crimes such as the murders of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová were committed.

On 6th December 2023, the new government of Prime Minister Robert Fico launched a procedure to overhaul the country’s penal code, lowering penalties for serious offences and dissolving the Special Prosecutor’s Office.

The government has also been accused of targeted personnel changes in the Slovak police and of investigators.

President Zuzana Čaputová has said she would veto the law and the European Public Prosecutor´s Office has warned some changes could pose risks to the effective protection of the European Union´s financial interests and its anti-corruption framework.

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Michal SIMECKA in his office in Brussels

Read also – Michal Šimečka: “We will do everything…so that Robert Fico does not rule in Slovakia”

“It remains our aim for Slovakia to have after this election a stable pro-European government that will care for the rule of law and which begins to solve and invest into areas key for our future,”