Rule of law and media freedom in Slovakia
On Thursday, Parliament will quiz the Council and the Commission about how they intend to address the controversial reform proposals made by Robert Fico’s government.
MEPs are expected to reiterate concerns about the Slovak government’s plans for criminal code reform and changes in the functioning of the country’s public-service media. MEPs say the ongoing reform, which led to the dissolution of Slovakia’s Special Prosecutor’s Office on 20 March and reduces penalties and limitation periods for financial crimes, threatens Slovakia’s ability to fight corruption and protect the EU budget. They are also likely to stress that the plans for the public broadcaster will have to be assessed in light of the EU’s recently-adopted Media Freedom Act. The proposed Act on Slovak Television and Radio is facing widespread criticism for giving the government direct control over public media, and curtailing their independence.
Background
MEPs already expressed their concerns about the rule of law situation in Slovakia in their January 2024 plenary resolution. Controversial government reforms were also addressed during the debate in February with the Commission in the Committee on Budgetary Control and threats to media freedom in the country were also mentioned during the plenary debate in March.
Procedure: Council and Commission statements
Debate: Thursday, 11 April 2024