Slovaks gathered in multiple locations to protest Prime Minister Robert Fico’s proposal to shut down a special prosecution office that investigates high-profile crime, including cases close to the prime minister. The protests were organized by opposition parties and civic activists in response to Fico’s plans to rapidly reform prosecution and criminal law, a move that has raised concerns at the European Commission and in the United States.
Among Fico’s proposed changes is the scrapping of the special prosecutor’s office (USP) that handles organized crime and graft cases, as well as reducing protections for whistleblowers and decreasing sentences for financial crimes. Marian Caucik, deputy leader of the opposition Christian Democrats, expressed concern at a rally in Bratislava that these changes could result in amnesty and protection for people close to the ruling coalition.
The protests saw people carrying European Union and Slovak flags in freezing temperatures, chanting “Shame!” and “Enough of Fico!”. Police estimated the turnout at 20,000, with additional rallies drawing hundreds to thousands in other cities.
Robert Fico, who resigned in 2018 following mass protests after the murder of anti-corruption journalist Jan Kuciak, returned to power after an election in September. He has long accused the USP and its leader Daniel Lipsic of being politically biased against his party.
Opposition parties successfully prevented Fico’s proposed reforms from being pushed through before Christmas, but parliament has been debating the proposal again this week. The special prosecutor’s office, created in 2004, has been active in pursuing cases against business leaders, judicial and police officers since the 2020 election.
It has handled cases related to the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak, as well as charges against former SMER-SSD finance minister and current central bank Governor Peter Kazimir, who denies the bribery charges against him. The office has also overseen abuse of power and other charges against former police chief and Fico ally Tibor Gaspar, who also denies any wrongdoing.
While in opposition, Fico faced police charges, later dropped, that he used information from police and tax authorities to discredit political rivals. He claimed it was political revenge at the time. The protests in response to Fico’s proposed reforms reflect widespread concerns about the potential impact on investigative and judicial independence in Slovakia.
(Reporting by Radovan Stoklasa in Bratislava and Jan Lopatka in Prague; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
