Commentary
Politics
EU Should Enlarge, Even Out of Despair – COMMENTARY
3 October 2024
Slovakia’s slide towards autocratic rule will accelerate after an ally of Prime Minister Robert Fico won the presidency over a democratically minded opponent, paving the way for a renewed push to subjugate the media, courts and business to the ruling party’s control.
The success of Peter Pellegrini, a close ally of Fico, at the presidential elections confirmed that the majority of society agrees with the direction the country is taking, which was initiated by Robert Fico’s fourth government (Smer). His coalition with the junior party Hlas and the nationalist party SNS is implementing profound changes in both domestic power structures and foreign policy.
After the Slovak parliamentary elections in December 2023, the European Parliament adopted a resolution expressing concerns about the rule of law in Slovakia: “MEPs criticise the new government for an array of worrying reform proposals and warn against the Prime Minister’s use of polarising language,” European Parliament stated.
The resolution criticised changes to the criminal code, reforms affecting whistleblower protection, the dissolution of the Special Prosecutor’s Office and concerns about planned reforms affecting the public broadcaster and media freedom in the country. MEPs also condemned divisive language and plans for new legislation regarding civil society organisations.
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