Matovic: Constitutional Court Move Shows Our Fight is Worthwhile

Bratislava, 17 December (TASR) - The decision by the Constitutional Court to suspend the effects of a legislation abolishing the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers (UOO) and establishing a new office is a message that fighting for its cause is worthwhile, opposition's 'Slovakia' party leader Igor Matovic declared on Wednesday. Matovic said this in reaction to Wednesday's ruling. "Even the Constitutional Court has serious doubts about whether abolishing the office for the protection of corruption whistleblowers is in line with the Constitution, and has embraced our opposition arguments," Matovic added. Earlier in the day, the Constitutional Court suspended the law's effectiveness at a closed-door session. It accepted in full a petition by a group of opposition members of Parliament for further proceedings. In their filing, the opposition argues a possible conflict between the legislation and the Constitution as well as European Union law, and also challenges the process of its adoption under a fast-tracked legislative procedure. MPs criticise, for example, the shortening of the term of office of the duly elected head of the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers, as well as changes related to granting and reviewing whistleblower protection. The petition to the Constitutional Court was also supported by Public Ombudsman Robert Dobrovodsky, who fears irreversible interference with fundamental rights and freedoms. He sees the main problem in a provision allowing previously granted whistleblower protection to be reviewed at any time, which he says introduces unpredictability into the system. mf