President Zuzana Čaputová did not veto but signed the amendment to the Penal Code. At the same time, she is sending it to the Constitutional Court for consideration and asking for the suspension of the law's effectiveness.
"The precondition for filing a motion with the Constitutional Court was that I had to sign the amendment, although I disagree with it, and that's why I'm contesting it in court. However, it is the only way to prevent the effects of the amendment from being triggered for even one day," explained the head of state.
At the same time, she rejects the pressure that has been put on her in recent days by government representatives. Prime Minister Robert Fico sent her an open letter with a veto proposal on the statute of limitations for rape offences. However, President Zuzana Čaputová thinks that her veto would not carry as much weight in this case- as the rest of her comments would be ignored by the government majority.
She plans to send her comments and a proposal to suspend the law to the Constitutional Court at the beginning of next week. The President expects that by then the amendment to the Penal Code could be published in the Collection of Laws so that the court can properly rule on it. She is aware that there may also be a scenario where the ruling coalition does not rush to publish the law. This is now in the hands of the Ministry of Justice, which may as well play for time and complicate the Constitutional Court's decision, as the law will come into force in mid-March.
President Zuzana Čaputová preferred a political stance to the interests of the people when amending the Criminal Code. This was stated by the coalition party Hlas-SD. According to the party, the president has joined in scaring the Slovak public and, by her actions, has made it impossible for the parliament to possibly correct provisions that could bring a greater sense of security to the people.
To appeal the amendment to the Penal Code to the Constitutional Court is the only way to stop the changes. Opposition SaS MP Mária Kolíková, stated that in case of vetoing the proposal, the party believes that there would not be enough time for the Constitutional Court to decide on its effectiveness.
The Christian Democrats believe that President Zuzana Čaputová chose the best solution when amending the Penal Code. This follows from the statement of their leader Milan Majerský on Friday. At the same time, he announced that the opposition is also planning to appeal to the Constitutional Court.
Source: RTVS, TASR
Martina Šimkovičová Greňová, Photo: TASR
