The Constitutional Court has suspended the effects of a law transforming the Office for the Protection of Whistleblowers (UOO) into a new authority. The law, approved by Parliament in December despite a presidential veto, would replace the UOO as of 1 January with the Office for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Whistleblowers. Opposition lawmakers, supported by Public Ombudsman Robert Dobrovodský, argue that the legislation may even violate the Slovak Constitution and EU law, criticising its fast-tracked adoption, the shortening of the UOO chair’s mandate and provisions allowing previously granted whistleblower protection to be reviewed at any time. Opposition parties SaS, KDH and Progressive Slovakia welcomed the court’s decision as a victory for the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts, while the UOO said the ruling confirms that whistleblower protection cannot be weakened through rushed legislation or political interference.
The Interior Ministry, however, said the suspension is only temporary and announced it will present a qualified position before the Constitutional Court, expressing confidence that the court will ultimately confirm the law’s constitutionality and allow it to take effect.
Source: TASR
