A European Parliament delegation investigating the misuse of European Union funds in Slovakia has triggered a wave of political hostility from the country’s leadership, culminating in Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico publicly branding the Czech mission leader, MEP Tomáš Zdechovský, a “political assassin” allegedly acting on behalf of the Slovak opposition. Zdechovský, who chairs the fact-finding mission of the Committee on Budgetary Control, responded by condemning the statement as a deliberate attack on the independence of EU oversight and has since requested police protection for his family amid a surge in threatening messages. The mission, which examined potential fraud involving agricultural subsidies and cohesion funds—such as claims for nonexistent transport fleets and the renovation of private estates—has faced coordinated discreditation efforts from senior Slovak officials, including the interior and environment ministers. While the delegation has not identified systemic rule-of-law violations, it has raised concerns over Slovakia’s recent dismantling of key anti-corruption institutions, the possible chilling effect on investigative scrutiny, and the broader deterioration in relations between Bratislava and Brussels. The European Parliament is now under pressure to respond as calls mount for institutional safeguards to protect the integrity of EU financial monitoring missions in member states where democratic norms are increasingly contested.
A recent oversight visit to Slovakia by a delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) from the Committee on Budgetary Control has sparked political controversy and public backlash. The mission, led by Czech MEP Tomáš Zdechovský of the European People’s Party (EPP), was tasked with reviewing the use of European Union (EU) funds in Slovakia, particularly in cases suggesting potential misuse or fraud. The delegation’s work, which included consultations with journalists, non-governmental organisations, and Slovak authorities, drew accusations from the Slovak government that the mission was politically motivated and aimed at undermining national sovereignty.
Slovakia, a central European EU member state, has a recent history of political tensions surrounding transparency and accountability in public finance. These concerns intensified following the 2018 murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, which prompted EU attention to systemic corruption in the country. In this context, the delegation’s current mission was described by Slovakia’s Minister of the Interior, Matúš Šutaj Eštok, as a “punitive expedition”. According to Zdechovský, “the minister called us enemies of the country,” a reaction he said was without precedent in other EU member states. He described the political climate as reminiscent of 2018, stating, “this is déjà vu from six years ago,” referencing the online smear campaigns that followed Kuciak’s death.
The backlash escalated further when Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico publicly labelled Zdechovský a “political assassin” and a “weirdo from the Czech Republic”. Zdechovský responded by calling the allegations “repugnant lies” and accused the Prime Minister of attempting to discredit the EU oversight mission. Following a surge in threatening messages after Fico’s comments, Zdechovský formally requested police protection from Czech authorities—not for himself, but to ensure the safety of his family. “It’s not about my safety, it’s about my family’s,” he told Czech media. He also wrote to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, calling on Brussels to address what he described as an attack on the independence of EU fact-finding missions.
Zdechovský insisted that the delegation’s objective was standard financial oversight, not political interference. He rejected claims of alignment with the Slovak opposition, remarking, “you’d need a sick mind to believe this is an opposition plot.” Instead, he described the mission as acting on reports from Slovak citizens and civil society. He also emphasised that the delegation was acting in the interest of all EU taxpayers, including Slovaks, to ensure that funds are used transparently and effectively.
The investigation centred on numerous allegations of inappropriate spending, including cases where EU agricultural and cohesion funds were used to renovate private estates or procure commercial trucks under dubious circumstances. According to Zdechovský, “we don’t want EU funds for villas and truck fleets.” He cited one example involving subsidy claims for 101 trucks, where it appeared that only one vehicle was repeatedly photographed from different angles. “A single truck claimed as 101 deliveries,” he said, illustrating the scale of suspected manipulation. He also warned that “someone’s fixing up private homes with EU money.”
The delegation also expressed concern about the effectiveness and rationale of some projects in marginalised Roma communities. One initiative involved planting tree alleys in settlements where residents lacked access to basic services. Zdechovský remarked, “some projects make you question reality,” questioning the practical value of such investments. He challenged Slovak officials to justify these expenses with measurable outcomes, stating, “show me a 200-page study proving economic impact.”
Beyond individual cases, Zdechovský noted broader risks to public trust and economic stability. “Slovakia is becoming a banana republic,” he said, warning that the misuse of EU funds undermines fair competition and deters international investors. He contrasted the situation with responsible infrastructure investments in other countries, declaring, “we want motorways, not haciendas.”
Slovak officials have criticised the mission’s decision to first meet with journalists and NGOs rather than government representatives. Zdechovský defended the approach as consistent with EU practice, asserting that initial contact with independent actors helps establish a neutral baseline. He added that meetings with ministers did eventually take place and that open communication was welcomed.
Institutional changes within Slovakia were also reviewed, particularly the dissolution of the National Criminal Agency (NAKA) and the Special Prosecutor’s Office, both of which were responsible for prosecuting financial crimes. The delegation questioned whether these reforms could affect the capacity to investigate misuse of EU funds. Although Zdechovský acknowledged that no systemic failure of the rule of law was identified, he stressed the importance of close monitoring and the need to evaluate whether legal reforms could compromise financial accountability.
He further highlighted the role of advanced digital monitoring tools, such as the EU’s Arachne system, in identifying corruption risks and preventing conflicts of interest. These tools, he said, should be more widely adopted in Slovakia to improve oversight and prevent similar issues in the future.
Zdechovský compared Slovakia’s current situation to earlier experiences in the Czech Republic, noting that his own country had also faced scandals but made progress through targeted reforms. He called for Slovakia to pursue similar investment in infrastructure, innovation, and strategic development. “When you want to develop a region, you have to bring in a road first,” he said, pointing to transport delays and connectivity gaps as barriers to growth. He stressed that inefficiencies in infrastructure not only affect Slovak citizens, but also deter regional tourism and business.
The mission’s findings will be compiled into a formal report within the month, which will include examples of both successful and problematic projects. Zdechovský expressed optimism that the report could lead to constructive engagement with Slovak authorities, stating that future EU funds should focus on projects “that have added value for Slovakia.”
In closing, Zdechovský addressed broader concerns over the unity of the EU. Responding to remarks by German politician Friedrich Merz, who suggested that EU funding could be withheld from member states violating rule-of-law standards, he warned against internal division. While criticising tactics used by Hungary to extract concessions from Brussels, he noted that Slovakia still had the potential to collaborate meaningfully with EU institutions and meet its obligations. “We can’t live in an EU where we hold each other by the throat,” he said, urging all sides to focus on the long-term well-being of their citizens.
Source: Soňa Weissová | Denník N
