Slovakia's democratic backsliding: Liberals and Democrats urge investigation into EU funds misuse
When political decisions put citizens' freedoms, fundamental rights and fair access to European funds at risk - it is not only a national concern, it requires European response. Today the European Parliament adopted a resolution that sends a clear message in response: EU money and EU values are inseparable and restoration of rule of law safeguards in Slovakia is urgent. Liberals and democrats pushed for this vote and we are now calling for: restoration of rule of law, full investigations into alleged misuse of EU funds and protection of postal voting rights for Slovaks abroad.
“European funds must serve the public interest, and therefore the interests of citizens. But when the rule of law, an independent judiciary, or the media are weakened, we cannot remain bystanders.”, MEP Wilmes commented after the vote.
Sophie WilmèsRenew Europe MEP, Belgium, Mouvement Réformateur
This resolution puts a strong and deliberate focus on corruption and the misuse of EU funds. The dismantling of anti-corruption institutions and the alleged misuse of European money were the central findings of last year's fact-finding missions to Bratislava, one of which was led by Renew Europe MEP Sophie Wilmès (Mouvement Réformateur, Belgium).
“The findings are clear after the two missions of Parliament to Slovakia. With today’s vote, Parliament is taking responsibility and sending a clear signal: the Commission and the Slovak authorities must now take concrete action to ensure respect for European values and obligations.”, MEP Wilmes added.
Up to 80% of public investment in Slovakia involves European funding. Now, the European Commission must trigger the rule-of-law conditionality mechanism and launch a full investigation into the alleged misuse of EU funds, in particular through the Agricultural Paying Agency and the so-called guesthouse projects, where European funds appear to have financed luxury private estates with little or no public benefit.
More broadly, serious concerns persist regarding the state of the rule of law in Slovakia, including respect for judicial independence, the primacy of EU law, minority rights, and the increasing use of accelerated legislative procedures that undermine democratic scrutiny and legal certainty.
Since the EU Parliament discussed Slovakia earlier this year, more concerning facts were made public - including Fico’s government efforts to challenge EU law and electoral laws. Our call to Slovak authorities is to strengthen electoral laws and to guarantee equal voting rights, including postal voting, for all Slovak citizens, wherever they live.
The new parliament position is an important step towards Slovakia's obligation as an EU Member State and was supported by four other political groups. It is the result of Liberals and Democrats’ continuous engagement to promote transparency and constant efforts to apply the tools needed for accountable management of Union funds that serve citizens.