Opposition Organises Protest March for Rule of Law in Bratislava

Bratislava, 11 December (TASR) – A march defending democracy, independent institutions and the rule of law is taking place in Bratislava on Thursday evening. The gathering, which began at Velvet Revolution Square and is set to move in front of Parliament, is organised by the opposition's Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) together with Progressive Slovakia (PS), the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) and the extra-parliamentary Democrats. According to SaS chair Branislav Groehling, the march is a response to a style of governance that undermines trust in the state. SaS MP Alojz Hlina said citizens have the right to make it clear they reject such developments. SaS vice-chair Maria Kolikova stated that the government is dismantling the systemic safeguards of the rule of law. "Abolishing the office that was meant to protect whistleblowers is the liquidation of the last independent counterbalance," she noted. Parliament on Tuesday (9 December) approved the transformation of the Whistleblower Protection Office into a new institution, based on legislation drafted by the Interior Ministry. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) responded to the approval by saying that the office tasked with protecting whistleblowers will no longer be open to deliberate misuse to shield selected individuals or to escape responsibility. President Peter Pellegrini vetoed the law on Thursday, citing the absence of reasons for fast-tracked legislative procedure, serious substantive objections regarding insufficient protection for victims of crime, and unresolved concerns raised by the European Commission that could have consequences for Slovakia. mf