Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová urged lawmakers on Thursday to reconsider a proposal from the country’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico. Fico has advocated for significant changes to Slovakia’s criminal law and plans to dissolve the Special Prosecutor’s Office.
According to Čaputová, Fico’s proposed legislation could violate the country’s legislative process, constitution and principles of the rule of law. These proposed reforms were initially introduced by Fico in December to reduce penalties for financial crimes, halt whistleblower protection for police officers and dissolve the Special Prosecutor’s Office. The office, which handles serious crimes such as corruption, is viewed by Fico as being politically motivated and a violation of human rights.
Čaputová has pushed back against the reforms, arguing they are inconsistent with the country’s constitution. In her view, inappropriate legislation could encroach upon the rights of individuals affected by criminal activity. She has also previously expressed concerns, on December 8, 2023, that the proposed reforms fell short of comprehensive communication to the public, leading to significant changes to the criminal law without adequate transparency.
The proposed legal changes prompted protests in 24 Slovak cities and towns, with 26,000 individuals in Bratislava alone voicing their opposition. Members of the Slovak Parliament, as well as political figures like Michal Šimečka, condemned Fico’s proposal, and called upon the government to withdraw it. He cited Slovakia’s struggle for democracy and the rule of law was under watchful eyes of Europe. Richard Sulík, the head of the opposition party Freedom and Solidarity, disapproved of the proposed reforms and publicly stated that they appear to have been inspired by mafia tactics.
Additionally, the European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing concerns over Fico’s proposed reforms. The European Parliament suggested that the reforms could impede freedom and restrict the work of non-governmental organizations in Slovakia. It also worried that the reforms could present a risk to the rule of law in Slovakia.
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