Robert Fico Reacts to Infringement: Positive, But Constitution Change Rejected
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- The European Commission has launched an infringement procedure against Slovakia, alleging that recent changes to the country's judicial system violate EU law and undermine judicial independence.
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european commission Launches Infringement Procedure Against Slovakia Over Judicial Independence
Table of Contents
The European Commission has launched an infringement procedure against Slovakia, alleging that recent changes to the country’s judicial system violate EU law and undermine judicial independence. The move, announced on May 16, 2024, has triggered a strong reaction from Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who views the action as a political attack and has ruled out constitutional changes to address the Commission’s concerns.
At a Glance
- What: The European Commission has initiated an infringement procedure against Slovakia.
- Where: Slovakia, impacting its relationship with the European Union.
- When: Announced May 16, 2024.
- Why it Matters: Concerns over the rule of law and judicial independence within an EU member state. Potential financial penalties and further legal action.
- What’s Next: Slovakia has two months to respond to the Commission’s concerns. Potential for escalation to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
What Happened: The Commission’s Concerns
The infringement procedure stems from changes made to Slovakia’s judicial system following Robert fico’s return to power in late 2023. Specifically, the Commission objects to amendments that affect the selection and roles of judges, particularly those related to the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court.The Commission argues these changes:
- Compromise Judicial Independence: The new rules are perceived as giving the government greater control over judicial appointments and potentially influencing court decisions.
- Violate EU Law: The changes are believed to contravene the principle of the rule of law, a essential value of the European Union, and potentially violate specific EU directives related to judicial independence.
- Lack Transparency: Concerns have been raised about the transparency of the selection processes for judges under the new rules.
The Commission sent a “letter of formal notice” to Slovakia on April 25, 2024, outlining its concerns. After receiving a response deemed unsatisfactory, the Commission escalated the matter to a full infringement procedure on May 16th.
Robert Fico’s response and the Political Context
Prime Minister Robert Fico has vehemently rejected the Commission’s concerns, characterizing the infringement procedure as a politically motivated attack. He stated that changing the constitution to appease the Commission is “out of the question.” Fico has consistently argued