Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia, has become the epicenter of nationwide protests as thousands of people take to the streets to demonstrate against proposed amendments to the penal code. Prime Minister Robert Fico's plan to eliminate the national prosecutors' office and make other significant changes has drawn sharp criticism both domestically and internationally.
Under the proposed amendments, the special prosecutors' office, which handles serious crimes such as graft, organized crime, and extremism, would be abolished. These cases would then be transferred to regional offices that have not dealt with such crimes for the past two decades. Critics argue that this move could undermine the effectiveness of the justice system in tackling high-profile criminal cases.
In addition to the elimination of the national prosecutors' office, the proposed changes include a reduction in punishments for corruption and other crimes, including the possibility of suspended sentences. The statute of limitations would also be significantly shortened. These provisions have sparked concerns about the potential for lower accountability and an increase in corruption within the country.
The protests, which have now spread to more than two dozen cities and towns across Slovakia, as well as to Prague and Brno in the Czech Republic, Krakow in Poland, and even Paris, reflect widespread public dissatisfaction with the proposed amendments. Demonstrators are demanding the preservation of justice and freedom in their country, expressing their refusal to back down.
Leading the opposition is Michal Šimecka, the head of the liberal Progressive Slovakia party, the strongest opposition party in the country. Addressing the large crowd gathered in Bratislava's central SNP square, Šimecka emphasized the need to escalate the pressure on Prime Minister Fico's government. The crowd echoed his sentiments, chanting slogans such as 'Mafia, mafia' and 'Fico mobster.'
Amidst the growing public outcry, the ruling coalition voted to employ a fast-track parliamentary procedure to approve the proposed changes, bypassing the customary review by experts and other stakeholders. This move has been heavily criticized by the opposition, who feel that their voices are being silenced in Parliament. However, Šimecka expressed his confidence that the people's voices will not be silenced and vowed to continue fighting for justice and freedom.
The next steps in the legislative process involve the second reading, where amendments may be made to the draft legislation, followed by the final vote. The second reading is scheduled to take place next Wednesday, with the final vote expected by the end of the following week.
Notably, both President Zuzana Caputová and the European Parliament have expressed concerns about the proposed amendments. President Caputová argues that they jeopardize the rule of law and have the potential to cause 'unpredictable' damage to society. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has also weighed in, raising doubts about Slovakia's ability to combat corruption if the changes are implemented, as they could undermine the protection of the EU's financial interests and anti-corruption framework.
Caputová has even indicated her willingness to challenge the legislation constitutionally, although the outcome of such a challenge remains uncertain.
Prime Minister Fico, who returned to power for the fourth time after his scandal-ridden party's victory in the September 2020 elections, has faced allegations of corruption within his party. Concerns are growing that his leadership could steer Slovakia away from its pro-Western course, aligning the country more closely with the direction taken by Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
As the protests continue to gain momentum, the fate of the proposed amendments hangs in the balance. The outcome will have significant implications for the rule of law, democracy, and the fight against corruption in Slovakia.
