Brussels berates Slovakia for rule-of-law decline
Hungary and Slovakia have the most problems with the rule of law, according to the EU's Annual Rule of Law Report. In both countries, problems remain that weaken anti-corruption efforts, safety of journalists, courts independence, and the functioning of civil society. The Slovak government has made no progress on six of the seven recommendations made last year. On the contrary, the situation has worsened―changes in police, the abolition of the special prosecutor's office, lower penalties for corruption, and shortened statutes of limitations risk affecting Slovakia's ability to effectively pursue high-level corruption cases. Government attacks on private media and changes in the public media are also a cause for concern. The report stops short of proposing sanctions against Slovakia, such as freezing EU funds.
The government complains that the report does not reflect reality.
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