‘Manual for autocrats’: how Fico’s rule-of-law breaches put Slovakia in EU sanctions crosshairs

Recent reforms by Robert Fico’s government in Bratislava have drawn intense scrutiny for undermining the rule of law — prompting the European Parliament to renew its call to freeze EU funding for Slovakia. Critics and Brussels officials point to a targeted dismantling of democratic checks and balances, specifically highlighting the controversial dissolution of the special prosecution office, cuts to corruption penalties, and escalating restrictions on independent media and civil society. In a re

In its resolution, the European Parliament condemned the misuse of EU funds in Slovakia and also expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the rule of law in the country. The resolution also includes a call on the commission to take action. The text was backed by 347 MEPs, with 165 against and 25 abstentions. “The resolution is a clear signal: Slovakia must start taking action. This is not a punishment for Slovak citizens, but a protection of the money of European taxpayers, as well as honest Slovak beneficiaries of subsidies,” said Czech MEPs Tomáš Zdechovský, the European People’s Party (EPP) spokesman for budgetary control issues. Freezing funds for Slovakia could have a heavy impact on its economy, as 80 percent of investments made within the country come from the EU coffers. The resolution follows another resolution in April and a visit by MEPs to the country in June 2025. “At the end of our mission, I must confess that our concerns have not been adequately dispersed,” the group said at the time. “Our main concern is the backsliding in terms of rule of law with these specific cases which are clearly identified, and on the other hand, the protection of the financial interests of the European Union,” said Spanish MEP Javier Zarzalejos from the legal affairs committee (LIBE), before the vote, who conducted the visit to Slovakia last June. “We would like to really highlight the situation in Slovakia because there is no progress and no reaction to our conclusion of the missions. This is [a] clear message,” the Czech MEP told EUobserver. At the heart of Brussels’ concerns is a series of sweeping legislative changes pushed through by the Fico administration.

Key points

• In its resolution, the European Parliament condemned the misuse of EU funds in Slovakia and also expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the rule of law in the country.
• The resolution also includes a call on the commission to take action.
• The text was backed by 347 MEPs, with 165 against and 25 abstentions.
• “The resolution is a clear signal: Slovakia must start taking action.
• This is not a punishment for Slovak citizens, but a protection of the money of European taxpayers, as well as honest Slovak beneficiaries of subsidies,” said Czech MEPs Tomáš Zdechovský, the Europe…