Slovakia: MEPs call for measures to protect EU values and the EU budget

In a resolution adopted on Wednesday by 347 votes to 165, with 25 abstentions, MEPs express their deep concern at the deterioration in respect for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Slovakia. They state that systemic shortcomings jeopardise the protection of the EU’s financial interests. MEPs call on the Commission to assess whether there isa clear risk thatSlovakia is committing a serious breach of EU values and to use all preventive and coercive measures at its disposal to protect those values and the EU budget. They reiterate their call forinfringement proceedingsto be launchedandfor theEU’srule of law conditionality mechanism to be activated.

Government reforms and its use of EU funds

Changes to criminal law (including less stringent rules on corruption and the closure of specialised anti-corruption bodies) and reports of harassment of former anti-corruption investigators are a cause for concern among MEPs. Parliament is also concerned about recent constitutional amendments that restrict fundamental rights and call into question theprimacy of EU law, as well as the government’s attempt to abolish Slovakia’s whistleblower protection office.

MEPs are calling on the Slovak authorities to strengthen judicial independence and implement the anti-corruption recommendations of the European Commission and the Council of Europe. They are also concerned about the functioning of the country’s agricultural payments agency and the alleged misuse ofEU-funded rural development and tourism projectsfor the construction or renovation of luxury private estates.

Freedom of the press and minority rights

The resolution expresses Parliament’s deep alarm at the deterioration of media freedom and pluralism, as well as at political interference in public service media. MEPs condemn the pressure being exerted on civil society and urge the Slovak authorities to prevent and combat violence against women and to guarantee access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including safe and legal abortion. MEPs state that the government must improve the protection of the rights of LGBTIQ people and the Roma minority in Slovakia, reiterating their concern over the implementation of EU funds intended for Roma communities. They deplore reports ofretroactive property confiscation based on the collective guilt of EU citizens belonging to various minority communitiesand urge the authorities to halt confiscations based on post-war decrees that particularly affect Slovakia’s Hungarian minority. MEPs also stress the need for equal access to voting rights for Slovak citizens living abroad, in the broader context of the government’s plan to restrict postal voting.

Background

Following a visit by several MEPs who raised concerns about thestate of EU valuesandthe alleged misuse of EU fundsin Slovakia, Parliament reiterated its concerns in a 2025 resolution. In April 2026, the Parliament called for the application of the EU’s Rule of Law Mechanism in Slovakia, in a resolution accompanying the Parliament’s2024review of theCommission’s management of the EU budget.

More information: European Parliament.