Planned Slovak justice reform: “In reality a pro-mafia package”

The re-elected Slovakian Prime Minister Fico wants to implement reforms in criminal law and the justice system – following the Hungarian model. Thousands are protesting against it across the country. There are also concerns in the EU about the Slovakian constitutional state.

For the fifth time, thousands are taking to the streets again – in the capital Bratislava and in all other major cities in Slovakia.

“Mr. Fico, the people see what you are doing! That you are hijacking the state! You are abolishing independent institutions, and your criminal justice reform is actually a pro-mafia package,” criticizes Michael Simecka, who leads the opposition against the Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico stands. “All you care about is revenge and impunity.”

In December, the pro-European politician Simecka organized the first protests. Back when the left-wing populist Fico wanted to abolish the special public prosecutor’s office in a fast-track procedure. She is responsible for high-level corruption cases, including from Fico’s previous three terms in office. But he hasn’t gotten away with it yet. The opposition delayed the vote.

“The government really thought it could silence us,” said liberal politician Branislav Gröhling. “But she’s miscalculated when I see you all here. Fico is afraid of the street. He’s holed up in his new luxury apartment, which he would never have been able to afford with a decent job.”

Warning “General amnesty”

Liberal President Zuzana Caputova also criticized Fico. His reform would also reduce sentencing for many crimes and shorten statutes of limitations. This is essentially a general amnesty for thousands of accused, including confidants of the Slovakian head of government.

“The criminal law amendment is one of the most serious in our history,” said Caputova. “It would fundamentally change the way we deal with simple theft, but also organized crime, and irreversibly restrict the rights of victims.”

EU objects

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office complains that Slovakia is no longer able to effectively combat the misappropriation of EU funds. On Wednesday, the European Parliament condemned the Slovakian reform proposals with a large majority. In a resolution, the MPs call on the EU Commission to monitor very closely where Slovakia is heading in terms of the rule of law – and to intervene earlier than with Hungary or Poland.

For Fico, the parliament in Strasbourg allowed itself to be exploited by the Slovak opposition. The reform is constitutional and President Caputova’s criticism is exaggerated.

“Unfortunately we have to realize that the president did not act as head of state, but rather as spokesperson for the opposition,” said Fico. “She also opened the presidential election campaign because she knows that the big favorite to succeed her comes from the government coalition.”

Caputova will not run again in the March election, also because of many attacks on her, for example by Fico. The current speaker of parliament, Peter Pellegrini, wants to declare his candidacy for president today. He leads a more moderate left-wing populist party. For the demonstrators, however, he is just Fico’s “bag carrier” with whom he could govern more easily. However, his choice is not a sure-fire success; the protests also ensure that.