KDH: Slovakia Runs Risk of Losing EU Funds Over Corruption

Bratislava, 27 March (TASR) - Slovakia faces the risk of losing EU funds, with their preservation largely in the hands of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD), and so the government must do everything possible to prevent such a loss, MEP Miriam Lexmann and MPs Rastislav Kratky and Branislav Skripek (all Christian Democratic Movement/KDH) warned at a press conference on Friday. According to KDH, the potential withdrawal of EU funds is mainly linked to the state of prosecutions for corruption and the rule of law in Slovakia. "This week, the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control approved a resolution stating that the handling of EU funds in Slovakia is alarming and that structures designed to protect these funds from corruption are being dismantled. Some of the reasons cited by the committee have already led to the withdrawal or suspension of €600 million from the recovery plan," explained Lexmann. She also pointed to a report by the European Public Prosecutor's Office highlighting corruption schemes involving Slovakia, hundreds of millions in EU funds, and unresolved cases. "Another issue is the upcoming European Parliament report on the rule of law in member states. Information is already being gathered on the alarming state of the rule of law in Slovakia. The Christian Democratic Movement is sounding the alarm, as this could lead to EU funds being withdrawn from Slovakia," she underlined. Kratky added that the reasons why the EU may freeze Slovakia's access to EU funds have long been known to the public. "This isn't about a single controversial case, but systemic failures of the rule of law in Slovakia under Robert Fico's government," he added. "We call on Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer-SD) and Robert Fico, as it's now in their hands, to start taking action to improve the rule of law in Slovakia. Processes have already been initiated in the European Parliament that could lead to the withdrawal of EU funds," said Kratky. mf/df