Slovakia's New Government Shuts Down Special Prosecutor's Office

The move, expected to impact the country's rule of law, has sparked widespread criticism and concern.

Slovakia's new government, led by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, has approved an amendment to the country's penal code to close the special prosecutor's office that deals with the most serious crimes and corruption.
The move has been criticized by President Zuzana Caputova, the opposition, and non-governmental organizations who say it will harm the rule of law in the country.
The special prosecutor's office is expected to cease operations by January 15, with prosecutors moving to work under the office of the prosecutor general while regional offices take over unfinished cases.
The legislation requires parliamentary and presidential approval. The three-party coalition has a majority in Parliament. President Caputova could veto the changes or challenge them at the Constitutional Court, but the coalition can override her veto by a simple majority.
Since the previous government took power in 2020 after campaigning on an anti-corruption ticket, dozens of senior officials, police officers, judges, prosecutors, politicians and businesspeople linked to Smer have been charged and convicted of corruption and other crimes.