Fico Struggles to Eliminate Government Office and Whistleblower Protections

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is facing difficulties in his attempts to dismantle a government anti-corruption office and eliminate protections for whistleblowers, according to recent developments. The ruling Smer-SD party's legislative efforts appear to have stalled, creating what critics describe as legislative deadlock. Meanwhile, tensions are rising over the Očistec (Purgatory) anti-corruption operation, which has targeted several high-profile figures in Slovak politics and business. The situation reflects broader concerns about the direction of Fico's government and its relationship with rule of law institutions, as Slovakia continues to navigate its position between EU values and closer ties with Putin's Russia.