Slovakians Protest Controversial Penal Code Amendments

Slovakians protested against proposed penal code amendments that would abolish the special prosecutors office and transfer serious crime cases to regional prosecutors.

Thousands of Slovakians took to the streets of major cities on Thursday, January 12, to voice their opposition to the new government's proposed amendments to the country's penal code. The changes, put forth by Prime Minister Robert Fico's three-party coalition government, include the abolition of the special prosecutors' office, which handles serious crimes such as graft, organized crime, and extremism. These cases would be transferred to prosecutors in regional offices that have not dealt with such crimes for the past two decades.

Public Outcry and Condemnation

Approximately 20,000 protesters gathered at a central square in Bratislava, according to police estimates cited by local media. Among them was Michal Šimecka, the head of the liberal Progressive Slovakia party, the strongest opposition party. Šimecka criticized Fico's actions, accusing him of underestimating the people's desire for freedom and justice. The crowd repeatedly chanted slogans such as "Mafia, mafia" and "We've had enough of Fico."

Legislative Process and Potential Challenges

The legislation proposed by Fico's government requires both parliamentary and presidential approval. While the three-party coalition holds a majority that could override an expected veto by President Zuzana Caputová, the president has expressed her willingness to challenge the legislation on constitutional grounds. The outcome of such a challenge before the Constitutional Court remains uncertain.

Concerns over Slovakia's Direction

Fico's return to power for the fourth time, following his leftist party's victory in the September 30 parliamentary election on a pro-Russia and anti-American platform, has raised concerns among critics. They fear that Slovakia may abandon its pro-Western course and follow the path of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Since Fico's government came to power, several elite investigators and police officials involved in high-profile corruption cases have been dismissed or furloughed.

Anti-Corruption Efforts Under Scrutiny

The proposed legal changes also include reduced punishments for corruption. Under the previous government, which came to power in 2020 on an anti-corruption platform, numerous senior officials, police officers, judges, prosecutors, politicians, and businesspeople linked to Fico's party were charged and convicted of corruption and other crimes.

Growing Protest Movement

The anti-government rallies, which began with a relatively small protest of several hundred people in Bratislava on December 7, have now spread to 19 towns and cities across Slovakia. The ongoing demonstrations reflect the public's dissatisfaction with the government's proposed amendments and their potential impact on the country's anti-corruption efforts and democratic institutions.