The European Union expressed its concerns after Slovakia decided to dismantle its state graft prosecution unit USP, as part of Prime Minister Robert Fico’s broader criminal code reform. The European Commission is now considering opening an infringement procedure against the country in a bid to avoid creating a new Hungary out of another member state.
The Commission told Slovakia its gripe with the proposed closure of the unit, as it will leave the country exposed without proper safeguards for investigating graft cases. In particular, the end of the unit may hamper Slovakia’s efficacy against graft cases that may affect the EU budget. According to Commission spokesperson, the Commission will “not hesitate to take action to ensure respect of EU law and the protection of the EU’s financial interests.”
One option under consideration is the opening of an infringement case against Slovakia. Sources told Reuters that a legal case will “likely” be opened against the country in the coming weeks. Nothing is decided yet though.
An infringement procedure can take several months to materialise, and it won’t likely be effective against Bratislava for some time. It may lead to fines and could end up to the EU top court. Previously, the Commission warned Slovakia over Fico’s criminal law reforms and the country’s top court halted some proposed changes, addressing some issues raised by Brussels.
The EU is keen on acting quickly to avoid creating another Hungary. Several fear that Slovakia may slip into a less democratic path similarly to Hungary under Viktor Orbán. However, the bloc is also wary of going full blast against Fico to avoid alienating him.
Orbán in the past years has managed to become a thorn in the EU’s decision-making, often stalling decisions, especially regarding Ukraine and Russia. The EU wants to avoid that Fico goes down the same road. The current Slovak PM has used a similar rhetoric to Orbán on Ukraine in domestic speeches but at EU level so far he has follow the main line.
