On March 20, Slovakia officially dissolved its Special Prosecutor’s Office, a decision that has attracted the disappointment of the European Commission. In an interview given to Reuters, a European Commission spokesman expressed regret over the dissolution, particularly noting the absence of safeguards to ensure continuity of effective investigations in the country. It marred the potential for effective crime investigations, the spokesman added.
The move wasn’t unexpected, as the dissolution was approved in a fast-track procedure before the Slovak Parliament on February 8. This decision encountered opposition with protests taking place nationwide and concerns being raised by the European Commission. It was during these protests that thousands gathered outside Slovakia’s Parliament and in 30 other Slovak cities, voicing their disapproval over the slated criminal law reforms.
Beyond the local opposition, the European Commission stated that the dissolution of the Special Prosecutor’s Office could negatively impact the expertise and efficiency of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The Commission is now positioned to evaluate the effects of the office’s dissolution and has indicated its readiness to act to ensure that EU law and financial interests are upheld.
The former Special Prosecutor’s Office had been in charge of serious cases, tackling corruption and organized crimes in Slovakia. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico proposed its dissolution as part of his criminal law reforms back in December 2023. The office had significant cases on its plate, including a corruption case against Dušan Kováčik who is a candidate of Fico’s party, and an indictment of Juraj Gedra, head of Slovakia’s government and a close associate of Fico. These were overseen by the now-dissolved office.
Prior to the dissolution, the European Parliament had aired its concerns over the proposed criminal reforms and the potential impact on the rule of law in Slovakia. The Parliament was specifically apprehensive that the reforms could threaten the rule of law within the country. Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová also urged lawmakers to reconsider Fico’s proposal to dissolve the Special Prosecutor’s Office and reform Slovakia’s criminal law. The president described Fico’s reforms as inconsistent with the country’s constitution and warned that inappropriate legislation could infringe the rights of individuals affected by criminal activity.