Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová announced on Friday (16 February) she will challenge the controversial penal code reform in the Constitutional Court, asking for a suspension until a verdict is reached in a bid to avoid fines or the suspension of EU funds.
Čaputová said that although she strongly disagreed with the amendment, she had to sign it because it was a precondition for filing a petition with the Constitutional Court.
“It is the only way to prevent the effects of the amendment to the Criminal code from being triggered for even one day,” the head of state said during a press conference at the Presidential Palace.
“If it were to come into effect for even a moment, you, the citizens, will never again be able to recover damages caused by the theft of your car, your apartment, or your life’s savings. The perpetrator would go unpunished,” Čaputová added.
The reform, passed by parliament last week, abolishes the special prosecutor’s office, weakens whistleblower protection and reduces penalties and statutes of limitations for serious crimes such as murder, rape and corruption.
It sparked nationwide protests and was widely criticised by European institutions.
This week, it emerged that the European Commission has warned Bratislava that it could face a fine or even the complete suspension of EU funds because new penalties for fraud and mismanagement of EU funds may not be a sufficient deterrent.
Immediately after the reform was passed, Čaputová declared she would “do everything in her power to ensure the amendment never comes into effect”. As she explained, a veto would not serve this purpose.
Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government would probably delay the process so much that the Constitutional Court would not have enough time to review the reform before it comes into force on 15 March, the president said. It would also be very easy to override the veto in parliament.
The leading opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, agreed with the president’s position, saying it shows she “cherishes the values of the rule of law”.
Meanwhile, Peter Pellegrini, a presidential candidate and leader of the ruling Hlas party, said the president was “scaring citizens”.
Despite voting for the reform himself, Pellegrini accused Čaputová of not vetoing the law as she said she would.
“By her action, the president has made it impossible for parliament to possibly correct certain provisions,” Pellegrini said.
[Edited by Alice Taylor]
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