Fico Warns EP President Metsola of Applying Double Standards

Bratislava, 12 June (TASR) - Prime Minister Robert Fico said he discussed what he described as a policy of double standards with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola during a meeting at the Slovak Government Office on Friday, TASR learnt from the Government Office's press department on the same day. According to Fico, such an approach is characteristic of EU institutions, including the European Parliament. "I joined the view expressed by the US Vice-President that the EU's greatest problem is that it does not respect the fundamental values on which it is built, particularly the value of the right to hold a different opinion," the prime minister said. Fico argued that a European Parliament resolution adopted in May criticised Slovakia on a number of issues, many of which he said were untrue. "It also criticises us for amending the Slovak Constitution, in which we clearly stated that, in matters of national identity, private life and marriage, Slovak law takes precedence over European law, which is undoubtedly our right. I asked very openly why this sovereign Slovak position is perceived in Brussels as a violation of the rule of law," Fico said. He also noted that the current governing coalition does not hold a constitutional majority and that support from opposition lawmakers was required to secure the constitutional amendment. "I asked even more directly why the European Parliament failed to act when unlawful excesses and the gross misuse of criminal law for political purposes were taking place in Slovakia between 2020 and 2023," the prime minister said [referring to the prosecution of Smer-SD nominees in corruption-related cases-ed.note]. He added that he had told Metsola that, if the European Parliament wished to discuss violations of the rule of law, it should focus on Slovakia during the years 2020-2023 rather than on the approved constitutional amendment. "This is a glaring example of double standards," he added. Following the meeting with the European Parliament president, Fico held a telephone conversation with European Council President Antonio Costa regarding the upcoming summit. "I once again requested that we devote greater attention next Thursday and Friday (18 and 19 June) to the issues of economic growth in the EU and high energy prices, which are undermining our competitiveness," he said. Fico also noted that he would raise the issue of reimbursement for weapons donated to Ukraine. mf