Opposition Welcomes Court Move Halting Abolition of Whistleblowers Office (2)

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. SaS MP Ondrej Dostal also commented on the Constitutional Court's decision on the amendment to the law on non-profit organisations. "The Constitutional Court clearly stated that the amendment to the law on non-governmental organisations is unconstitutional as a whole. This legislation had no other aim than to make the existence and functioning of non-profit organisations more difficult," he said. According to Dostal, it is a good thing that the Constitutional Court "has erected a clear barrier to this law and said that this isn't the way forward". Plavakova described the amendment on non-profits as a Russia-inspired proposal that was changed several times during the process. "I'm really very pleased that the Constitutional Court has sided with us in this case and that non-governmental organisations will not be harassed by this government," she said. According to Plavakova, the decision by the Constitutional Court shows how important it is to use all democratic means available to protect human rights. On Wednesday, the Constitutional Court suspended the effects of the legislation on transforming the UOO into a new office. It accepted in full for further proceedings a motion filed by a group of opposition MPs and, at the same time, the court ruled that the amendment to the law on non-profit organisations providing services of general benefit isn't in line with the Slovak Constitution and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. The amendment was challenged at the Constitutional Court by a group of opposition MPs as well as by the public ombudsman. NOTE: This story has been extended to include the final five paragraphs mf/df