Civil Liberties Committee MEPs travelled to Bratislava on 2-3 June to look into the latest as regardsthe situation of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

The Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG) of the Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) carried out a mission to Slovakia to assess the state of play regarding respect for the rule of law and democratic principles. The visit was organised following the publication of the Commission’s latest Rule of Law Report in July 2024, and in the context of the ongoing work within the European Parliament.

 

Over the course of two days, the delegation met with around twenty representatives of Slovak authorities and stakeholders, including Prime Minister Fico and the Ministers of Justice and Culture, the National Council, leading figures of judiciary, the Ombudsman, as well as media representatives, NGOs, and human rights, democracy, and non-discrimination advocates. The delegation welcomed the respectful tone of the exchanges, although the discussions concluded with differing views on the overall assessment of the situation.

The delegation comprised:

  • Javier Zarzalejos (EPP, ES) – LIBE Chair
  • Sophie Wilmès (Renew, BE) – DRFMG Chair
  • Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA, DE)
  • Milan Uhrík (ESN, SK)

Statement

Following the conclusion of their work, MEPs Zarzalejos, Wilmès, and Freund issued the following statement.

“Slovakia has undertaken efforts to reverse certain controversial initiatives, including the reduction of sentences for corruption-related offenses or the extension of the statute of limitations for sexual violence. However, the DRFMG maintains that significant progress remains necessary.

With over 80% of public investment in Slovakia funded by the European Union, the EU plays a direct and essential role in the country’s economic development. Beyond infrastructure and regional growth, this support empowers Slovak citizens to launch their own projects, improve their communities, and enjoy a higher standard of living. The EU is not just a source of funding-it is a key driver of opportunity and prosperity for the Slovak people.

One of the main concerns lies with the impact of the reform of criminal law, particularly in relation to the fight against corruption. The dissolution of the Special Prosecutor’s Office may significantly diminish Slovakia’s anti-corruption infrastructure and capacity. A marked decline in indictments following the restructuring of the system might indicate so.

Certain reforms pursued by the government compromise democratic principles in Slovakia. The DRFMG echoes and shares the widespread concerns for the continued use of the expedited legislative procedures that marginalise the legislative branch. Members call for a meaningful consultation with relevant stakeholders and civil society, as an integral part of a regular legislative procedure, as also stated by the constitutional court with a view to the criminal law reform. Similar concerns were raised regarding the law known as the ’Foreign Agents Act’. The law is likely to render the operations of non-governmental organisations extremely burdensome and to create conditions that make their work virtually untenable. Serious and ongoing doubts persist as to the law’s compatibility with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The state of media freedom in Slovakia remains a critical issue requiring urgent attention. The government’s decision to replace the public broadcaster RTVS with a newly created entity, STVR, along with changes to the procedure for appointing its director, has raised serious questions about the broadcaster’s independence from political interference and its alignment with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), particularly regarding safeguards for editorial autonomy and sustainable public funding.

Several speakers noted the gradual disappearance of investigative and political programmes, which nonetheless play a vital role in fostering informed public debate. The prevailing climate of hostility towards journalists gives rise to disinformation, smear campaigns, politically motivated investigations, and the deployment of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) creating a chilling effect that threatens press freedom and democratic debate. It is especially worrying that this is also echoed by high-level politicians.

The DRFMG also takes note of serious concerns about the constitutional amendment proposed last January, which asserts the supremacy of Slovak law over international law in matters of culture and ethics. These developments are of direct relevance to the fundamental values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union, which the EU is mandated to uphold within its competences – an area falling under the oversight of the LIBE Committee. When exercising national competence over family law, Slovakia should respect EU law and fundamental rights, including the freedom of movement, non-discrimination and the right to private and family life.

The DRFMG will report back to the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs. At the same time, it expresses its readiness to continue engagement with the Slovak authorities in order to define the next steps to be taken. The DRFMG will consolidate its findings and assess which further steps should be taken.”

A press conference took place on Tuesday at 14:30 CEST, which you can watch on demand on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre.