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Slovakia's Constitutional Court suspended a government law on December 17 that would have abolished the Whistleblower Protection Office and replaced it with a new Office for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Whistleblowers, following a complaint filed by 63 opposition lawmakers.

Slovakia's Constitutional Court suspended a government law on December 17 that would have abolished the Whistleblower Protection Office and replaced it with a new Office for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Whistleblowers, following a complaint filed by 63 opposition lawmakers.

The opposition argued the law was inconsistent with Slovakia's Constitution and European Union law, criticizing the shortened legislative procedure and provisions allowing already granted whistleblower protection to be reviewed at any time, which they said introduced unpredictability.

The opposition argued the law was inconsistent with Slovakia's Constitution and European Union law, criticizing the shortened legislative procedure and provisions allowing already granted whistleblower protection to be reviewed at any time, which they said introduced unpredictability.

The government defended the reforms, stating the Whistleblower Protection Office was politically abused in the past, while the Interior Ministry expressed conviction that the law is in order and will enter into force after Constitutional Court proceedings are completed.

The government defended the reforms, stating the Whistleblower Protection Office was politically abused in the past, while the Interior Ministry expressed conviction that the law is in order and will enter into force after Constitutional Court proceedings are completed.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Bratislava and nine other Slovak cities on December 16 to protest legislative changes that dismantled the whistleblower protection agency and altered rules on crown witnesses, with protesters chanting slogans such as "Enough of Fico" and "Resign."

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Bratislava and nine other Slovak cities on December 16 to protest legislative changes that dismantled the whistleblower protection agency and altered rules on crown witnesses, with protesters chanting slogans such as "Enough of Fico" and "Resign."

Opposition leader Michal Simecka of Progressive Slovakia told crowds that Prime Minister Robert Fico's government "took a chainsaw to the rule of law" and that Slovakia is the only country where the government approves laws to make life easier for criminals and organized crime groups.

Opposition leader Michal Simecka of Progressive Slovakia told crowds that Prime Minister Robert Fico's government "took a chainsaw to the rule of law" and that Slovakia is the only country where the government approves laws to make life easier for criminals and organized crime groups.

The protests were part of broader regional unrest across Central Europe, with demonstrations also occurring in Romania over judicial reforms, in Lithuania regarding public broadcaster governance changes, and in Hungary over allegations concerning state-run care institutions.

The protests were part of broader regional unrest across Central Europe, with demonstrations also occurring in Romania over judicial reforms, in Lithuania regarding public broadcaster governance changes, and in Hungary over allegations concerning state-run care institutions.

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Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Bratislava and eight other cities across Slovakia on Tuesday to protest government reforms to the judicial system. The protests were organized by the opposition party Progressive Slovakia and targeted legislative changes.

Yasmina

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Bratislava and eight other cities across Slovakia on Tuesday to protest government reforms to the judicial system. The protests were organized by the opposition party Progressive Slovakia and targeted legislative changes.

The legislative changes pushed through parliament by Prime Minister Robert Fico's government include dismantling the whistleblower protection agency and altering rules on crown witnesses. The Fico administration justified the reforms by arguing the agency was used for political purposes.

The legislative changes pushed through parliament by Prime Minister Robert Fico's government include dismantling the whistleblower protection agency and altering rules on crown witnesses. The Fico administration justified the reforms by arguing the agency was used for political purposes.

Protesters carried Slovak and EU flags and displayed slogans such as "Fico's government is helping Mafia" while chanting "Enough of Fico" and "Shame." Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka told the Bratislava crowd the government had attacked the rule of law.

Protesters carried Slovak and EU flags and displayed slogans such as "Fico's government is helping Mafia" while chanting "Enough of Fico" and "Shame." Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka told the Bratislava crowd the government had attacked the rule of law.

The government has also weakened penalties for financial crimes, overhauled the public broadcaster and adopted constitutional amendments asserting national sovereignty over certain European Union legislation. These measures have drawn scrutiny from the European Commission.

The government has also weakened penalties for financial crimes, overhauled the public broadcaster and adopted constitutional amendments asserting national sovereignty over certain European Union legislation. These measures have drawn scrutiny from the European Commission.

Fico has pursued policies at the EU level that closely align with those of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, including opposition to extensive military aid to Ukraine and advocacy for a harder stance on migration. In October 2025, Fico discussed his party potentially joining Orban's Patriots for Europe group.

Fico has pursued policies at the EU level that closely align with those of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, including opposition to extensive military aid to Ukraine and advocacy for a harder stance on migration. In October 2025, Fico discussed his party potentially joining Orban's Patriots for Europe group.

The Slovak unrest occurred amid broader regional protests across Central Europe over corruption and judicial reforms. Mass protests have also taken place in Romania, Lithuania, Hungary and Bulgaria over allegations of institutional abuse and threats to democratic institutions.

The Slovak unrest occurred amid broader regional protests across Central Europe over corruption and judicial reforms. Mass protests have also taken place in Romania, Lithuania, Hungary and Bulgaria over allegations of institutional abuse and threats to democratic institutions.

Slovakia Court Suspends Law Abolishing Whistleblower Office

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Slovakia Court Suspends Law Abolishing Whistleblower Office

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