Slovakia's Parliament Votes to Dismantle Independent Whistleblower Protection Office

Parliament Approves Controversial Whistleblower Office Abolition

Bratislava, Slovakia – Slovakia's parliament on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, approved a government proposal to dismantle the independent Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers (WPO). The measure, pushed through by the ruling coalition led by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, passed with 78 votes in favor and 57 against in the 150-seat parliament. This decision has drawn significant criticism from domestic and international bodies, who warn of weakened anti-corruption safeguards.

New Body Under Government Authority

The approved legislation will abolish the existing WPO, which was established in 2021 under EU rules to safeguard individuals reporting corruption or unlawful conduct. In its place, the government plans to create a new institution that will be placed under direct government authority. This new body is intended to protect both whistleblowers and crime victims, with the government nominating its chair, who will then be elected by parliament. The government justified the change by claiming the previous rules were 'abused for political reasons'. The new law is slated to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Concerns Over Weakened Protections and Rule of Law

Critics argue that the new law significantly weakens whistleblower protections. Notably, it includes provisions allowing for protections previously granted to be 'retroactively withdrawn' and 'permanently re-evaluated' at the employer's initiative. The European Commission had previously warned that whistleblower protection bodies must be autonomous and independent under EU law, and reportedly sent a warning letter to Bratislava. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has also expressed concerns.

Domestically, the move has been met with strong opposition:

• Michal Šimečka, head of the opposition Progressive Slovakia party, labeled the decision 'an attack against the rule of law' and announced plans to challenge the changes at the Constitutional Court.
• Lawmaker Jan Horecky from the Christian Democratic KDH party denounced the abolition as removing the 'last... independent institution dedicated to fighting corruption' in the country.
• The Whistleblower Protection Office itself issued a statement, asserting that 'political interests prevailed over substantive and expert discussion' and that the law would 'significantly weaken' public trust in the system.
• President Peter Pellegrini, typically an ally of Prime Minister Fico, expressed reservations about the legislation, although the government possesses the majority to override a potential presidential veto.

Broader Context of Fico Government's Reforms

The dismantling of the WPO follows a series of legislative changes introduced by Prime Minister Robert Fico's government since his return to power in 2023. These include controversial penal code reforms that eased penalties for corruption and economic offenses, as well as constitutional amendments asserting national law precedence over some EU laws. The WPO had recently fined the Interior Ministry three times for failing to respect the status of protected whistleblowers, preceding the government's move to abolish the office. The legislation was advanced using a fast-track parliamentary procedure, limiting expert review and public debate.