Slovaquie
On February 16, 2024, Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová announced her decision to challenge a controversial amendment to the country’s penal code at the Constitutional Court. The amendment, passed by supporters of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico on February 8, eliminates the Special Prosecutor’s Office responsible for tackling major crimes such as corruption, organized crime, and extremism.
The changes include abolishing the Special Prosecutor’s Office, with its cases to be taken over by regional prosecutors who haven't dealt with such high-level crimes for 20 years. The amendment also reduces punishments for corruption and some other crimes, including the possibility of suspended sentences, and significantly shortens the statute of limitations, including for serious crimes like rape and murder.
President Čaputová is requesting that the court suspend the legislation while it reviews the case. She has warned that the changes jeopardize the rule of law and could damage society. It is not clear when the court will rule on her complaint.
The move has drawn widespread criticism domestically and internationally. Thousands have protested across over 30 Slovak cities and abroad. The European Parliament and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office have expressed concern over weakened anti-corruption efforts. Critics argue the fast-tracked amendment, which bypassed expert review and limited debate, threatens the rule of law.
The abolition of the Special Prosecutor’s Office and the reduction in penalties for corruption represent significant changes to Slovakia's legal framework. Critics fear these changes could undermine efforts to combat corruption and organized crime, potentially leading to a decline in public trust in the judicial system.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the Constitutional Court will rule on the President's challenge and what further actions may be taken by both domestic and international bodies in response to these legal changes.
