The Slovakian Parliament announced on Thursday that it will adopt a fast-track legislative process to vote on Prime Minister Robert Fico’s proposal to reform Slovakia’s criminal law and dissolve the Special Prosecutor’s Office. This decision has been made after the lawmakers approved the fast-track procedure intended to expedite the voting process on Fico’s proposal.
The reforms, initially introduced by Fico in December, aim to weaken penalties for financial offenses and dissolve the Special Prosecutor’s Office – an entity that handles serious crimes such as corruption. The Slovakian government asserted that the reforms were directed at eliminating alleged bias and unfair treatment of its officials.
The opposition parties have expressed their disapproval of both the fast-track legislative process and the criminal reforms. Michal Šimečka, a member of the Slovak Parliament, criticized the fast-track procedure and stated that the reforms intend to ensure impunity for individuals associated with Fico’s party. In addition, Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová argued that she is ready to institute a constitutional challenge to the reforms, criticizing them as a danger to Slovakia’s rule of law and societal well-being.
The European Parliament expressed concerns over the proceedings on January 17. The European Parliament reported, “these changes threaten the integrity of judicial processes and undermine the EU’s fight against fraud”. Although Fico acknowledged that the government would consider the European Commission’s suggestions, he maintained that they would not fundamentally alter the proposed criminal law reforms and the dissolution of the Special Prosecutor’s Office.
With its fast-track procedure and proposed reforms, the Slovakian government has faced protests in Slovakia, France, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Šimečka voiced his support for the protests, stressing that those opposing the reforms will not be silenced and asserting his commitment to defending justice and freedom in Slovakia.
Finally, on January 18, President Čaputová urged lawmakers to reconsider Fico’s proposed reforms. She claimed Fico’s proposal could potentially violate the Constitution, Slovakia’s legislative process, and the rule of law. Furthermore, on January 17, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, suggesting Fico’s proposal might inhibit freedom, endanger the rule of law and limit the operations of non-governmental organizations in Slovakia.