Slovak Government Abandons Plan to Dismantle Independent Anti-Corruption Office

The Slovak government has abandoned its controversial proposal to dismantle an independent anti-corruption office, according to legal expert Katarína Batková from the civil rights organization Via Iuris. Batková characterized the withdrawal as the government admitting defeat, stating that fear over potential loss of European Union funding ultimately forced the administration to bury what she called a "legislative corpse." The proposed elimination of the independent office had been criticized as undermining the rule of law by attempting to remove institutions that operate independently from current political power. Slovakia's access to EU funds depends partly on maintaining strong anti-corruption mechanisms and judicial independence, creating pressure on the government to preserve such institutions.