Slovakia's Parliament Approves Dismantling of Whistleblower Protection Office

Parliamentary Vote and Government Initiative

On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, the Slovak parliament approved a government proposal to abolish the independent Whistleblower Protection Office (WPO). The measure was passed using an accelerated parliamentary procedure, with 78 lawmakers from the ruling coalition, led by populist Prime Minister Robert Fico, voting in favor within the 150-seat parliament. This decision comes despite significant domestic and international opposition.

The Role of the Whistleblower Protection Office

The Whistleblower Protection Office was established in 2021, following the guidelines of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive. Its primary mission has been to safeguard individuals who report corruption and other unlawful conduct. The office has operated as an independent state administration body, not falling under any ministry or the Government Office of the Slovak Republic. Recently, the WPO had notably fined the Interior Ministry three times, totaling €114,000, for failing to uphold the status of protected whistleblowers.

Government's Rationale and Proposed Changes

The government's justification for dismantling the WPO centers on claims that the previous rules were 'abused for political reasons'. The Fico administration plans to replace the existing office with a new institution, which it states will handle the protection of whistleblowers and crime victims. Critics, however, point out that the new regulations would allow for the cancellation of previously granted whistleblower protections and permit employers to request repeated reviews of protection statuses.

Widespread Criticism and International Concerns

The move has drawn extensive criticism from various bodies:

• The European Commission had previously warned Slovakia that bodies handling whistleblower cases must be autonomous and independent under EU law, and reportedly sent a warning letter to Brussels.
• Legal experts, civil society organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have argued that the new law weakens protections, violates the EU directive, and risks installing politically chosen leadership that may lack public trust.
• The Slovak Prosecutor General also voiced criticism against the government's plan.
• Opposition parties have unanimously condemned the bill, with Michal Šimečka, head of the major opposition Progressive Slovakia party, calling it 'an attack against the rule of law' and announcing plans to challenge the changes at the Constitutional Court.
• Staff from the now-defunct Whistleblower Protection Office issued a statement asserting that 'political interests prevailed over substantive and expert discussion', and that parliament disregarded warnings from experts and international organizations.

Even President Peter Pellegrini, typically an ally of Prime Minister Fico, expressed reservations about the fast-track procedure, though the government possesses the parliamentary majority to override a potential presidential veto.

Outlook

The new legislation is scheduled to come into force on January 1. The decision has sparked concerns about the future of corruption oversight and the rule of law in Slovakia, with critics highlighting the potential for diminished safeguards for those reporting illicit activities.