The protests broke out respective hours after president Zuzana Čaputová explicitly opposed the proposed changes, arguing that they could jeopardise the regulation of law.
The plan, approved by the coalition government of Fica, assumes the abolition of a peculiar prosecutor dealing with serious crimes specified as corruption, organised crime and extremism. Instead, prosecutors in region offices would take over. The SMER organization besides expresses its desire to mitigate sanctions for corruption and another economical crimes. The proposals include the anticipation of suspended sentences, a crucial simplification in the limitation period and the abolition of protection for persons reporting police offences. The organization plans to approve the improvement in an accelerated parliamentary procedure.
Thousands rally in Slovakia to protest against a government plan to bring the country's penal code pic.twitter.com/aBZSECNORA
— TRT planet Now (@TRTWorldNow) January 19, 2024
Dissatisfaction of citizens and opposition
On Thursday, around 26,000 protesters gathered in the country's capital, Bratislava, and demonstrations were besides held in 24 another cities throughout Slovakia. Manifestations reflect the concerns and dissatisfaction of the public, who see in the proposed reforms the threat to the regulation of law and the effective fight against crime.
Richard Sulík, leader of the opposition organization Freedom and Solidarity, speaking to a crowd in a crowded square in Bratislava, powerfully criticized the proposed changes, suggesting that they looked as if they had been developed by the "mafia".
"It's a shame what this promaficious organization is doing," said Sulík.
Michal Šimečka, who is at the head of Liberal Progressive Slovakia, the strongest opposition party, said that the government must “withhold crazy legislation”.
"Today all Europe is watching our fight for the regulation of law and democracy," said Šimečka.
Protesters carried banners with slogans specified as “Hands Off Our Democracy” and “We Will Not Be Quiet”.
The European Union besides opposes
On Wednesday, the European Parliament raised doubts as to Slovakia's ability to fight corruption effectively and to defend the European Union budget in the event of proposed changes. The European Public Prosecutor's Office expressed concerns that Slovakia's plans were a threat to the protection of the EU's financial interests and the anti-corruption framework.
The Slovak president had previously stated in her speech before Parliament that the proposed changes could violate the regulation of law and could origin “unforeseeable” harm to society. She added that specified major changes to the penal code should be introduced within the applicable legislative process, indicating a deficiency of appropriate action erstwhile developing fresh reforms. This confirms existing concerns at both national and global level.
Thousands of protesters have one more time demonstrated in more than 20 cities in #Slovakia Against the pro-#Russian Fico government. Now they have added to their demands the resignation of the pro-Russian Minister of Culture pic.twitter.com/pfaH4AOL9n
— Еспресо Global (@Espresotveng) January 19, 2024
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