The controversial amendment, proposed by the current ruling coalition, mandates that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) receiving more than €5,000 annually in foreign funding be labeled as “organizations with foreign support.”
The proposal has been intensely criticized by numerous NGOs within Slovakia, who have urged the government not to emulate the political habits of Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
Back in 2017, Hungary had passed a similar law on foreign-funded NGOs, but repealed it in 2021 after the European Court of Justice ruled it illegal.
“I was in Bratislava and I was very clear…If you follow the Hungarian example on the NGOs law, we will launch an infringement procedure [for violation of EU law] immediately, because already we have the decision of the court on the table,” European Commission Vice President Věra Jourová said on Wednesday, ahead of the release of the EU’s annual rule of law report.
Slovakia’s government under Prime Minister Robert Fico took power last year and has faced criticism from the opposition for criminal code changes, revamping the
public broadcaster, ending state military aid to Ukraine, and leaning foreign policy closer to Russia.
Fico said in a statement after the EU’s annual rule of law report that he took note of its recommendations and relevant ministries would hold dialogue with the Commission.
However, he added the criticism was coming due to disagreements on foreign policy issues where the Commission seeks “obedience.”
The rule of law report covers the judicial system, corruption, media freedom and various checks and balances such as civil society. It offers non-binding recommendations to all 27 EU members.
