Coalition Criticises EP Recommendation to Suspend EU Funds for Slovakia

Bratislava, 29 April (TASR) - A European Parliament resolution that includes a recommendation for the European Commission to suspend EU funds for Slovakia is, according to coalition MPs, a baseless interference in politics that will increase as parliamentary elections approach. Opposition MP Veronika Remisova ('Slovakia'-For the People) described it as an international disgrace and a consequence of the current government's policies. The European Parliament on Wednesday approved the discharge report on the implementation of the European Union's general budget for 2024. In the resolution, MEPs formally called on the European Commission to trigger the conditionality mechanism against Slovakia, a process that could lead to the freezing of EU funds. "I see it as one of dozens of meaningless resolutions that have no binding character for the European Commission," said Smer-SD MP Richard Gluck. He claimed the resolution had been "ordered" by the opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, "from friends in the EP faction". Smer-SD MP Tibor Gaspar said similar "attacks" will only intensify in the run-up to the upcoming 2027 parliamentary election. MP and chair of the Slovak National Party, Andrej Danko, believes the move represents interference in politics by the European Parliament. He said he intends to approach Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) to initiate legislative changes to ensure Slovakia does not lose its veto rights in the EU. In Remisova's view, the approval of the proposal to freeze EU funds in the European Parliament is a major disgrace for Slovakia. "Fico's government has, from the outset, focused on protecting the interests of criminal groups and dismantling the justice system. We have long warned where this would lead – not only to rising crime but also to a serious threat to fundamental national and economic interests," she said. According to Michal Truban, vice-chair of Progressive Slovakia, the coalition must take the threat seriously. "Prepare laws that restore trust in the rule of law in Slovakia and prevent the economic catastrophe that freezing EU funds would represent. The overwhelming majority of resources financing public investment come from the European Union. I cannot imagine what Slovakia would do without EU funds," the opposition MP said. mf