European Commission Launches Investigation Against Slovakia

Because of Fitzo's actions regarding the rule of law.

The European Commission on Friday, January 30, announced it has opened an investigation into Slovakia because its prime minister, Robert Fitzo, has dismantled the whistleblower protection bureau.

The Politico reports.

The journalists note that in its latest dispute with Bratislava over the rule of law, the EU executive criticized Fitzo for trying to replace the bureau with a new institution whose leadership would be appointed politically.

"The Commission considers that this law violates EU rules," it said.

Zuzana Dlugošová, head of the whistleblower protection office, said she had repeatedly warned Slovak officials that the plans contravened EU law.

"If the experts' feedback had been taken into account, Slovakia could have avoided the EU's infringement procedures. However, we believe that the process itself could contribute to a more professional and meaningful discussion on how whistleblower protection should properly be established in Slovakia," she said.

Brussels has given Bratislava one month to respond to its requests. The EU could then take measures that would potentially include cutting Slovakia's payments after a tiered process.

Politico writes that since returning to power in 2023 for a fourth term, Fitzo's SMER party has taken measures to dismantle anti-corruption institutions. These include closing the Special Prosecutor's Office, which handled high-profile corruption cases, and disbanding the NACA, an elite police unit tasked with fighting organized crime.

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