Opposition Welcomes Court Move Halting Abolition of Whistleblowers Office

Bratislava, 18 December (TASR) – The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) parties consider the Constitutional Court's decision to suspend the effects of legislation transforming the Whistleblowers Protection Office (UOO) into a different authority to be good news for Slovakia. "The Constitutional Court's decision is good news for the rule of law in Slovakia. For the time being, the existence of the Whistleblowers Protection Office has been safeguarded, and it will not cease to exist on 1 January 2026 as [Interior Minister] Matus Sutaj Estok and the rest of the coalition wanted," said PS MP Lucia Plavakova. Plavakova pointed out that the Constitutional Court suspends the effects of laws in situations involving the most serious threats to fundamental rights and freedoms or when there is a risk of significant economic damage or other serious irreversible consequences. SaS leader Branislav Groehling considers the Constitutional Court's decision to temporarily suspend the abolition of UOO to be a victory. "The pressure from the opposition, the public and other independent institutions has been worthwhile," he stated. MP Maria Kolikova (SaS) described the court's decision as welcome news for Slovakia. According to her, the Constitutional Court extended a helping hand to Slovakia's "fragile democracy", proving to be a guardian of constitutionality, democracy and the rule of law. Although the decision is preliminary, Kolikova sees it as important. She believes that the Constitutional Court is now dealing with the laws that it reviews differently. "It doesn't wait until legislation is published in the Collection of Laws, because, in light of what is happening in Slovakia, it can see that this could be too late. It might not be possible to stop a fundamental breach of constitutional principles if it waits for publication," she said. mf/df