SaS Warns of Potential Conflict with European Law If UOO Dismantled

Bratislava, 25 November (TASR) – The proposal to transform the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers (UOO) into a new authority is a disruption of Slovakia's legal system, and there might also be a potential conflict with European law, opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party chair Branislav Groehling and MP Maria Kolikova (SaS) warned at a press conference on Tuesday. "The coalition wants to abolish the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers, which has proven to be a genuinely functional and independent authority because it is stepping on the heels of the coalition and its incompetent interior minister [Matus Sutaj Estok], who's incapable of even opening his electronic mailbox," stated Kolikova. She fears that the office will face a fate similar to that of public broadcaster RTVS, which was transformed into STVR. "The leadership will be fundamentally replaced, and then political interventions by this governing coalition will be allowed," added Kolikova, who believes that the new authority will also interfere in the 'prosecutors' war'. SaS also pointed to a potential conflict with European law. "We can expect further proceedings against Slovakia, which threatens investment from EU funds, a key source of investment in the country," said Kolikova. According to her, the proposal would also eliminate the functional protection of victims of violent crimes. MPs are currently debating a proposal for a fast-track legislative procedure on the Interior Ministry's draft. They are then expected to move on to the substance of the bill. The proposal states that the existing UOO should be replaced by a new Office for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Whistleblowers of Anti-Social Activity. The new office would also take over the victim compensation agenda, which has so far been handled by the Justice Ministry. mf/df