PS Warns of Rule of Law Breakdown in Slovakia, Concerned about EC's Report

Bratislava, 25 March (TASR) – The opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party says that the current governing coalition is dismantling the rule of law in Slovakia, and it fears that the European Commission's report on the rule of law will be devastating for the country, MPs Zuzana Stevulova and Branislav Vanco (both PS) warned at a press conference on Wednesday. At the same time, PS criticised Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) for not asking European Commissioner for Justice and Rule of Law Michael McGrath questions concerning solutions to specific problems during their meeting. "The governing coalition led by Prime Minister Fico is dismantling the rule of law in an unprecedented way and exposing us to the risk of legal disputes with the European Union. This could ultimately cost everyone in Slovakia frozen EU funds or even millions of euros in fines. That is the impression we got from the meeting with Commissioner for Justice and Rule of Law McGrath," said Stevulova. She pointed, for example, to the European Commission's objections to an amendment to the Slovak Constitution. She fears that the rule of law report will be highly critical of Slovakia. "This may have adverse consequences, not only legal, but also in terms of new investors not coming to Slovakia or existing ones leaving even more often," she added. In this context, she called for the resignation of Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD). Vanco also criticised the government for failing to fulfil tasks set by the European Commission in last year's rule of law report. McGrath came to Slovakia this week to discuss rule of law issues with senior government officials and representatives of civil society organisations. The visit is part of the Commission's ongoing preparations for the 2026 rule of law report. McGrath also held talks with Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), who claimed that Slovakia is still living with the trauma of the years 2020–2023, when, in his view, there were serious violations of the principles of the rule of law. He alluded to criminal prosecutions of Smer-SD nominees for corruption. mf/df