Slovakia U-turns as EU enforcement and civil society prevail

Written By EWI

19 March 2026

Joint Statement by the Whistleblowing International Network (WIN) and the European Whistleblowing Institute (EWI)

On 17 March, the Slovak Parliament repealed the law that had been approved via a fast-tracked process in December to abolish the Whistleblower Protection Office (WPO) and effectively remove legal certainty of protection for whistleblowers.

“Twice in two years, Slovakia's Government moved to strip away whistleblower protections when they became politically inconvenient. One cannot claim to uphold the rule of law while dismantling the protections that make it real. The people of Slovakia stood firm. Whistleblower protection isn't a political convenience, it's a cornerstone of a fair and democratic society”, said Anna Myers, WIN’s Executive Director. 

This reversal is both a testament to the influence the European Commission still holds over Member States that do not comply with EU law - and one the Commission should not shy away from employing - and the sway of civil society in and outside the country, spotlighting what was clearly an egregious violation of the rule of law.  

“This reversal is welcome. It confirms that weakening whistleblower protections carries real consequences, including for the protection of EU funds. European standards matter - and they are being enforced”, said Dr Vigjilenca Abazi, EWI’s Co-Founder and Executive Director. 

This decision now opens the door for Slovakia to receive €590 million from the Recovery and Resilience Plan, which had been closed by the Commission in response to the Government’s decision to abolish the WPO. 

Timeline: 

  • 6 November 2025: Coalition MPs propose a legislative amendment to reduce whistleblower protections

  • 22 November 2025: Government approves a new law abolishing the WPO

  • 9 December 2025: Parliament approves the law abolishing the WPO

  • 11 December 2025: President vetoes the law 

  • 12 December 2025: Parliament overrides the President’s veto 

  • 17 December 2025: Constitutional Court halts the abolition of the WPO

  • 30 January 2026: European Commission opens infringement procedures against Slovakia

  • 17 March: Parliament repeals the abolition of the WPO and the amendment to reduce whistleblower protections 

Previous statements on this case:

EWI
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