The European Parliament has called for consideration of freezing EU funds for Slovakia
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to consider suspending funding for Slovakia. The move comes amid concerns over a potential departure from the principles of the rule of law under Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government.
This was reported by Euractiv.
The document was approved by 418 MEPs, with 207 voting against. The resolution calls for the activation of the conditionality mechanism, which could lead to the suspension of payments from EU funds.
“We must ensure that Fico does not become the next Orbán—after all, he himself says he wants to be one,” said the rapporteur, MEP Daniel Freund.
He added that the examples of Hungary and Poland demonstrate that financial pressure from the EU can help restore respect for the rule of law.
The European Parliament’s resolution mentions a number of decisions by the Slovak authorities that have drawn criticism from MEPs. In particular, these include the dissolution of anti-corruption bodies, including the National Criminal Agency and the Special Prosecutor’s Office, as well as plans to reform the whistleblower protection service, which could reduce its independence.
The document also notes a reduction in EU funding of €1.225 million following a recommendation by OLAF, suspicions of misuse of EU-funded pension payments, and reports of pressure on MEPs during their visit to Bratislava.
The European Parliament’s resolution is political in nature and is not binding. The final decision on possible financial sanctions will be made by the European Commission, and approval will require the support of a qualified majority of EU member states in the Council.
Slovak MEPs voted against the document, including representatives of both the ruling coalition and the opposition. They warned that a potential freeze on funds could primarily affect citizens, rather than the country’s political leadership.
The European Parliament supported the document calling on the European Commission to freeze payments to Slovakia from the EU budget due to risks to the rule of law and the EU’s financial interests.
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