Slovak parliament votes for judicial reform

In Slovakia, Prime Minister Fico has achieved one of his most important projects: Parliament has approved his controversial judicial reform. This provides for the abolition of the special public prosecutor’s office.

Robert Fico was in a hurry with his key project: the judicial reform was actually supposed to come into force in January – in a fast-track procedure. But the opposition has slowed down the re-elected Slovakian head of government. Fico has now passed the bill after weeks of debate and days of delays.

The opposition boycotted the vote. Parliament President Peter Pellegrini: “There are 78 MPs present. 78 MPs are in favor – I note that we have accepted the government’s draft amendment to the criminal law.”

Penalties for corruption should be reduced

The Slovak government wants to dissolve the special prosecutor’s office. This authority has been investigating serious corruption and organized crime for 20 years. In addition, the penalties for these and similar offenses should be reduced and the statute of limitations should be shortened.

Tibor Gaspar from the left-wing national Fico party Smer explains: “It is high time that we amend criminal law, because our previous governments destroyed the constitutional state and violated its principles. The European Court of Human Rights has also found this.”

Resignation after contract killing

In the third Fico government he was police chief. Six years ago he had to resign after the contract murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancé. Just like Fico. Both had become faces of a corrupt Slovakia that the young investigative reporter had been researching.

When the opposing conservative camp came to power, the current special prosecutor, Daniel Lipsic, was appointed. He initiated numerous cases against high-ranking figures, but according to human rights experts, sometimes overstepped the mark. Gaspar was in custody for a year – without charges. He is now responsible for judicial reform. An affront to the opposition.

Serious accusations from the exMinister of Justice

Since December, three pro-European opposition parties have been organizing protests against Fico’s plans. Former Justice Minister Maria Kolikova accuses the Fico government of sacrificing the rule of law in order to be able to stop ongoing proceedings in its environment – for example against the former police chief Gaspar, against the Slovakian central bank chief Kazimir or against the oligarch Výboh, who is close to Fico.

“We know why Fico and his people are dealing with the special prosecutor’s office: because it could bring political leaders to justice! That’s why they came with this deadly cocktail for justice, because it is the only salvation for them,” said Kolikova.

EU Parliament condemns judicial reform

The European Parliament condemned the Slovakian judicial reform in a resolution. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office also warned of lower penalties for corruption. The authority prosecutes crimes against the EU budget.

“We communicate with the EU Commission every week,” reassures Justice Minister Boris Susko, “we have submitted all comments and reservations from Brussels in the form of proposed changes.”

President wants to veto

For the opposition, these remain cosmetic adjustments. President Zuzana Caputova wants to veto the decision and go to the Constitutional Court. The Fico coalition can easily overrule the veto. However, it does not have the necessary majority for more far-reaching constitutional changes – unlike Viktor Orban in Hungary or the PiS in Poland.

The ongoing protests show how strong civil society is in Slovakia, says sociologist Michal Vasecka. “It would be naive to expect that Fico would resign or give up his plans because of any demonstrations. But the signal these protests send to foreign countries must be unpleasant for him. Because it shows that a part of the population is not giving up and has a completely different idea of ​​how the system works rule of law in Slovakia than he did.”

Protests will continue until the election

The judicial reform is scheduled to come into force in mid-March. Shortly thereafter, presidential elections will take place. Until then, the opposition wants to continue protesting. She hopes that she can prevent the favorite Pellegrini from Fico’s coalition.