Slovak reform ‘posing rule of law threat’ now under EU Commission review

According to a leaked document, the European Commission has received a reform proposal from the government of new and controversial Prime Minister Robert Fico, which aims to dismantle the Special Prosecutor’s Office – a move the opposition says poses a “direct threat” to the rule of law there.

Fico’s government plans to dismantle the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which oversees high-profile corruption cases from the Smer era, Denník N, which got its hands on a leaked working draft of the proposal, reported.

The European Commission, informed of plans for such reforms during talks between Fico and EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders last week, has already received the proposal.

Commenting on the government’s plans, the opposition warned that they represent a ‘brutal attack’ on the rule of law.

“If they approve the draft amendment I have seen, it will mean a direct threat to the rule of law in Slovakia,” said Lucia Plaváková, vice president of Progressive Slovakia.

The leader of the Progressives, Michal Šimečka, called on the government to publish its proposal so an expert debate could occur. He has also started his negotiations with the Commission.

For now, the Justice Ministry claims there are several alternatives to the upcoming reforms, and the proposal will be published only after a consensus is found.

In the leaked draft, the cabinet presents its vision of the reform, with changes made not only to the Special Prosecutor’s Office but also to the Specialised Criminal Court. Both institutions deal with the most serious crimes, including high-level corruption and serious acts of violence.

This comes as no surprise as Fico has been attacking the head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, Daniel Lipšic, for some time now.

“We will take all the necessary steps for Daniel Lipšic to leave the Office of the Special Prosecutor, as he is a person who has no business there,” said Fico, adding that the solution would be reached “in a legal way”.

Under Lipšic, the office oversaw the corruption case against Smer candidate Dušan Kováčik, who was sentenced to eight years in prison, as well as the case against current Smer MP Tibor Gašpar.

Before becoming the top special prosecutor, Lipšic was Fico’s political opponent, serving as interior minister and justice minister. As a lawyer, he represented the family of journalist Ján Kuciak, whose murder in 2018 sparked mass protests that resulted in Fico resigning as prime minister.

Andrej Danko, the leader of the coalition party SNS, also confirmed the intention to dismantle the Special Prosecutor’s Office, mentioning Lipšic several times as the reason.

(Natália Silenská, Barbara Zmušková | Euractiv.sk)