Parliament quizzes 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.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

freedom of press and media (T)

EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (T)

EU - Slovakia (T)

REYNDERS, Didier (BE, EC)

BILČÍK, Vladimír (EPP, SK)

HOJSÍK, Martin (Renew, SK)

KOHUT, Łukasz (S&D, PL)

MICHEL, Mathieu (BE)

Attempts to dismantle Rule of Law and media freedom in Slovakia: extracts from the debate

External shot of the European Parliament in Brussels

SOUNDBITE (French), Mathieu MICHEL, State Secretary for Digitisation, On the discussion of media and freedom of the media and rule of law, these are essential aspects in the rule of law as a whole to making sure to make sure that the democratic system is working properly. So members, I'm very pleased to see that we've managed to agree on two key texts recently that will reinforce freedoms and pluralism of media throughout the Union with the European Media Freedom Act and the Directive on anti-SLAPP legislation.  <p></p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, The Commission had to take note that Slovakia decided to disrupt the special prosecutor's office, despite the Commission's request not to use again the fast track procedure for the dissolution and to have sufficient guarantees to safeguard a proper handover before the dissolution. The Commission remains in contact with the Slovak authorities to further discuss the actual impact of this change.

SOUNDBITE (Slovak), Vladim&iacute;r BILČ&Iacute;K (EPP, SK), Slovak citizens are European citizens and they live in a world based on rules. If you throw a spanner in the works of the judiciary, and if you don't care about justice for all, then there will be consequences. In Europe. What wins the day is justice for everyone.

SOUNDBITE (Slovak), Łukasz KOHUT (S&amp;D, PL), We are all very deeply worried about what's happening in Slovakia, the liquidation of corruption authorities, anti-corruption authorities, pro-Russian policy and rejection of support for Ukraine. This is not acceptable. We do respect your choices, but please remember that here in the European House you have resources that you can draw upon in difficult times of populism.

SOUNDBITE (Slovak), HOJS&Iacute;K, Martin (Renew, SK), We had a special prosecutor's office. We had a renovation plan that was to provide a guarantee to protect the provision of EU money. And today, we are seeing the risk that millions of EU euros will be lost to Slovakia.  <p></p>

SOUNDBITE (Slovak), Monika BEŇOV&Aacute; (NI, SK), Now, we also have to talk about economic policies in terms of giving economic aid to Ukraine. But we are a government that wants peace, whereas you just want to spread war.