EU and Slovak opposition concerned about reforms promised by new Fico government: there is a "threat to the rule of law"
Kyiv • UNN
The European Commission has received a reform proposal from the government of the new and controversial Prime Minister Robert Fico that aims to eliminate the Special Prosecutor's Office. If the penalties for corruption are reduced, this could also have a significant impact on ongoing corruption cases that are still under investigation or in court
European Commission informed of plans of the new Slovak prime minister's government Commission has been informed about the plans of the government of the new Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico to carry out a reform aimed at eliminating the Special Prosecutor's Office. - This step, according to the opposition, poses a "direct threat" to the rule of law in the country. The European Prosecutor's Office promises to carefully to analyze possible legislative changes in Slovakia. This was reported by UNN with with reference to Euractiv.
Details
Reform of penalties for corruption and property crimes for corruption and property crimes was one of the key promises of the Smer-SD, which was emphasized by representatives of the political force before the parliamentary elections. before the parliamentary elections. However, after winning the parliamentary elections, the Fico government government plans to liquidate the Special Prosecutor's Office, which oversees high-profile corruption cases of previous times and related to Smer. This was reported in particular by the Denník N newspaper, which got hold of a leaked of the working draft of the proposal.
Commenting on the government's plans, the opposition warned the government's plans, the opposition warned that they constitute a "vicious attack" on the the rule of law.
If they approve the draft amendment that I have seen, it will would mean a direct threat to the rule of law in Slovakia
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) expressed its concern to EURACTIV Slovakia about these plans, pointing out that there is a threat that the announced reforms could jeopardize the the protection of European funds.
Based on our preliminary analysis, we fear that some of the proposed amendments to the Slovak Criminal Code will no longer be able to guarantee that crimes against the EU budget will be punished in Slovakia with effective, appropriate and dissuasive criminal sanctions
At present, the Ministry of Justice Ministry of Justice says there are several alternatives to the upcoming reforms, and the proposal will be published only after a consensus is reached.
In the draft that has been made public, the In the draft that was made public, the Cabinet of Ministers presents its vision of the reform, changing not only the Specialized Prosecutor's Office, but also the Specialized Criminal Court. Both institutions deal with the most serious crimes, including high-level corruption and and serious acts of violence.
SEE ALSO: The package of of EU security guarantees for Ukraine includes nine priorities: what they
Separately, it is stated that the it is pointed out that Prime Minister Robert Fico has been attacking the head of the Daniel Lipshich, the head of the Special Prosecutor's Office, under whom the office oversaw the corruption case against Smer candidate Dušan Kovacik, who was sentenced to eight years in prison, as well as the case against the current Smer MP Tibor Gašpar.
We will take all necessary steps to ensure that Daniel Lipšić leaves the Office of the Special Prosecutor, as he is a person who has no business there
It should be noted, that before becoming the top special prosecutor, Lipšić was a political Fico's political opponent, serving as Minister of the Interior and Minister of Justice.
Under Lipšić, the office oversaw the corruption case against Smer candidate Dušan Kovacik, who was who was sentenced to eight years in prison, as well as the case against the current Tibor Gaspar, the current Smer deputy.
Meanwhile, the Office of the European Office of the European Public Prosecutor warned that it will "very carefully analyze possible legislative changes in Slovakia in the context of their potential impact on the work of the EPPO."
