The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, voiced its regret on Thursday over Slovakia’s decision to dissolve its dedicated state graft prosecution unit. The Commission warned that it would take action to safeguard the EU’s financial interests in response to this move.
Prime Minister Robert Fico’s decision to dismantle the Special Prosecutor’s Office (USP) has sparked public protests and raised concerns among EU officials. Critics argue that this action could undermine democracy in Slovakia, a country with a population of approximately 5.5 million that emerged from communist rule.
In response to Slovakia’s decision, a spokesperson for the European Commission stated to Reuters that the Commission regrets the dissolution of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, particularly without the implementation of safeguards to ensure that ongoing investigations can continue effectively.
The spokesperson emphasized that the dissolution of the Special Prosecutor’s Office could hinder the effectiveness of investigations, especially those related to offenses impacting the EU budget.
The European Commission intends to assess the consequences of Slovakia’s decision and stated that it will not hesitate to take action to ensure compliance with EU law and protect the EU’s financial interests if deemed necessary.
