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EU Prosecutor concerned about criminal law changes
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The President of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) said there was a serious risk of violation of the rule of law in Slovakia, as a result of the changes in whistle-blower protection and abolition of the special prosecutor's office. On Monday, Laura Kövesi said the planned steps by the Slovak government represent an "amnesty" in a significant number of active investigations into fraud.
She said the speed with which the Slovak government intends to proceed with the changes raises serious doubts about compliance with the duty of sincere cooperation.
She said she was worried that the level of protection of EU financial interests in the Slovak Republic would be sharply reduced.
Radovan Geist of the news portal Euractiv commented: "If the European Public Prosecutor's Office, on the basis of the analysis, assesses that cooperation is at risk, this is a serious argument for the Commission. If the Slovak government does not back down, then Slovakia will have its money suspended, and we are talking about classic European funds, we are talking about agricultural subsidies and we are also talking about money from the recovery plan."
Michal Simecka, the leader of the largest opposition party, Progressive Slovakia, picked up on this point. He said: "This is very dangerous not only for justice in Slovakia, but also for our future economic development."
(TASR, RTVS)
