Latest reforms by Robert Fico’s authorities in Bratislava have drawn intense scrutiny for undermining the rule of legislation — prompting the European Parliament to resume its name to freeze EU funding for Slovakia.
Critics and Brussels officers level to a focused dismantling of democratic checks and balances, particularly highlighting the controversial dissolution of the particular prosecution workplace, cuts to corruption penalties, and escalating restrictions on impartial media and civil society.
In a decision voted on Tuesday (20 Might), an enormous majority of MEPs urged the European Fee to set off the so-called conditionality mechanism, a software which may in the end droop EU funds.
In its decision, the European Parliament condemned the misuse of EU funds in Slovakia and in addition expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the rule of legislation within the nation. The decision additionally features a name on the fee to take motion.
The textual content was backed by 347 MEPs, with 165 in opposition to and 25 abstentions.
“The decision is a transparent sign: Slovakia should begin taking motion. This isn’t a punishment for Slovak residents, however a safety of the cash of European taxpayers, in addition to trustworthy Slovak beneficiaries of subsidies,” mentioned Czech MEPs Tomáš Zdechovský, the European Folks’s Social gathering (EPP) spokesman for budgetary management points.
Freezing funds for Slovakia may have a heavy influence on its economic system, as 80 % of investments made throughout the nation come from the EU coffers.
The decision follows one other decision in April and a go to by MEPs to the nation in June 2025.
“On the finish of our mission, I need to confess that our issues haven’t been adequately dispersed,” the group mentioned on the time.
“Our essential concern is the backsliding when it comes to rule of legislation with these particular instances that are clearly recognized, and then again, the safety of the monetary pursuits of the European Union,” mentioned Spanish MEP Javier Zarzalejos from the authorized affairs committee (LIBE), earlier than the vote, who carried out the go to to Slovakia final June.
“We wish to actually spotlight the state of affairs in Slovakia as a result of there isn’t any progress and no response to our conclusion of the missions. That is [a] clear message,” the Czech MEP instructed EUobserver.
On the coronary heart of Brussels’ issues is a sequence of sweeping legislative modifications pushed by means of by the Fico administration.
Right here we break down the important thing actions driving the EU’s response:
Misuse of EU funds
The size of suspected corruption is wide-ranging.
