A Pro-Mafia Package: Thousands Protest Against Slovak Prime Minister’s Reforms
For the fifth time, thousands of people took to the streets in Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, and other major cities to protest against the reforms proposed by Prime Minister Fico, which aim to transform the country’s criminal justice system in a manner similar to Hungary. The opposition accuses Fico of hijacking the state and claims that his proposed criminal law reform is essentially a pro-mafia package.
“People see what you are doing, Mr. Fico! You are undermining the state! You are dismantling independent institutions, and your criminal justice reform is, in truth, a pro-mafia package,” criticizes Michael Simecka, who leads the opposition against Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. “Your motivations are only revenge and impunity.”
In December, the pro-European politician Simecka organized the initial protests when Fico attempted to abolish the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which handles high-level corruption cases, including those from Fico’s previous three terms in office. However, he has not succeeded thus far, as the opposition has delayed the vote.
“The government truly believed that they could silence us,” says liberal politician Branislav Gröhling. “But they miscalculated when I see all of you here. Fico fears the streets. He has hidden himself in his new luxury apartment, which he could never afford through honest work.”
Warning Against General Amnesty
Even the liberal President Zuzana Caputova criticizes Fico’s reforms. They would reduce the sentencing for many crimes and shorten the statute of limitations. This would effectively amount to a general amnesty for thousands of suspects, including associates of the Slovak Prime Minister.
“The new criminal law reform is one of the most significant in our history,” says Caputova. “It would fundamentally alter the handling of petty theft as well as organized crime and irrevocably restrict the rights of victims.”
EU Raises Concerns
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office argues that Slovakia would no longer be able to effectively combat the misappropriation of EU funds. On Wednesday, the European Parliament condemned the Slovak reform proposals by a large majority. In a resolution, the parliamentarians call on the European Commission to closely monitor the direction Slovakia is heading in terms of the rule of law and to intervene earlier than with Hungary or Poland.
For Fico, the parliament in Strasbourg has allowed itself to be instrumentalized by the Slovak opposition. He claims that the proposed reforms are in line with the constitution, and President Caputova’s criticism is excessive.
“Unfortunately, we must acknowledge that the president did not act as the head of state but as the spokesperson for the opposition,” says Fico. “In addition, she has opened her presidential election campaign. She knows that the top candidate for her succession comes from the government coalition.”
Caputova will not run for re-election in March, partly due to numerous attacks on her, including from Fico. The current Speaker of Parliament, Peter Pellegrini, is expected to announce his candidacy for the presidency today. He leads a more moderate leftist populist party. However, protesters believe he is merely Fico’s “yes-man,” enabling him to rule more easily. His election is not a foregone conclusion, thanks in part to the ongoing protests.