3) In the systemic reconstruction of democratic institutions, Hungary remains the most prominent case. However, the essential thing is not to look for the “worst” country, but to ensure consistent enforcement of EU law in all member states.
Ján Farský (Czech Republic / EPP)
1)The latest Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index shows that Slovakia has fallen to 61st place. This development cannot be separated from the long-term tenure of Prime Minister Robert Fico.
According to him, European money, which was supposed to be used for the development of the country, too often becomes a source of enrichment for the narrow circle of power. Eurofunds should not be personal trophies, but a tool for improving the lives of citizens.
2) The EU should rigorously scrutinize how resources are handled and ensure that they do not end up in the hands of politically connected individuals. General sanctions would not be the right solution – responsibility should be borne by specific individuals.
3) For many years, Hungary under the leadership of Viktor Orbán was a symbol of the weakening of the rule of law. According to Farský, similar tendencies can also be seen in Slovakia today, although there is still an active civil society.
Jonas Sjöstedt (Sweden / Left in the European Parliament)
1) The rule of law in Slovakia is under serious pressure. The independence of the judiciary, anti-corruption mechanisms and public accountability are weakening.
2) The EU should enforce its rules consistently and without double standards. It has at its disposal the mechanism of the conditionality of drawdown of European funds and the procedure according to Article 7 of the EU Treaty.
The European Commission has already started proceedings for breach of obligations and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has drawn attention to the risks for the EU budget. He considers the connection of European funds with the criteria of judicial independence to be essential.
3) He sees the most serious problems in Hungary and Slovakia. According to him, Hungary’s voting rights should be suspended according to Article 7.
Ondřej Dostál (Czech Republic / unclassified)
1) He considers the situation in Slovakia to be standard from the point of view of the rule of law. Regular elections are held, the parliamentary majority, the courts and the free opposition function.
If everything is not working perfectly, he does not consider it a worse situation than in other Member States.
2) The EU is not a federation and should not interfere in the internal value issues of the member states. Only the citizens of Slovakia themselves can change the Constitution.
3) Rather, he considers the tendency of European institutions to expand their powers, especially in matters of decision-making and individual sanctions without a proper judicial process, to be a problem.
Tomáš Zdechovský (Czech Republic / EPP)
1) According to him, the situation in Slovakia is not good. He sees the weakening of the rule of law in the amendments to the criminal law and in the abolition of control institutions.
Slovakia is facing several corruption scandals, which are being investigated by OLAF and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). According to him, the control mechanisms failed.
2) First, a dialogue is needed. However, if it does not bring results, the EU can proceed to the conditional withdrawal of European funds or to the limitation of payments from the funds.
3) Slovakia and Hungary are currently facing the most serious problems in the area of the rule of law. In the case of Hungary, the possible withdrawal of voting rights in the EU has already been discussed.
Daniel Freund (Germany / Greens – European Free Alliance)
1) We see a dangerous trend in Slovakia. Robert Fico’s government has already dismantled the anti-corruption infrastructure and changed the laws so that convicted criminals go free. At the same time, he also has the ambition to abolish the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers.
The rule of law is clearly not a priority of the Slovak government. It knowingly violates the values and treaties of the European Union.
2) The European Commission recently started proceedings against Slovakia for breach of duty for the interference of the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers. This is not the first case – already at the end of 2025, the Commission started another procedure, which also related to issues of the rule of law.
I fully support this procedure, but it is not enough. We must act quickly. The Commission should freeze all funds intended for Robert Fico’s government. Only when the anti-corruption infrastructure in Slovakia is restored should European funds be released again.
3) If we look at the current rankings evaluating the rule of law in the EU, we find Bulgaria and Hungary on the bottom rungs. At the same time, these are countries that Transparency International describes as the most corrupt member states.
Corruption thrives most in authoritarian regimes where control mechanisms are weak or non-existent. An independent judiciary, a pluralistic media and a strong civil society can act as a counterweight to the abuse of power. We must ensure that Slovakia does not become another Hungary.
