Slovakia: GRECO regrets gradual progress in stopping corruption of parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors

The Council of Europe’s Group of States towards Corruption (GRECO) has expressed disappointment at the slow progress of the Slovak Republic in applying measures to stop corruption of parliamentarians, judges and prosecutors.

In a new compliance report evaluating the development of the country in the implementation of the 16 tips contained in its 4th Round Analysis Report, GRECO concludes that 50 % of them have not been completely applied far more than 5 years just after its adoption (see the French and Slovak versions of the compliance report)

As regards parliamentarians, GRECO notes that amendments to the Legislation on the Defense of the Standard Fascination have entered into force, offering for the obligation to declare items or other gains and the use of movable or immovable residence. However, there is no sizeable development in phrases of asset declaration. GRECO encourages the authorities to finalise and implement a code of ethics for parliamentarians. It regrets that no political consensus has been discovered nevertheless to improve transparency in the legislative procedure, in particular as regards lobbying and disclosure of economical pursuits.

GRECO also regrets a lack of progress regarding judges. While the software of the principles relating to the declaration of property has been strengthened, the procedures of interpretation of the Code of Judicial Deontology continue to be to be clarified, in certain for conflicts of desire. The threshold further than which presents obtained will have to be declared stays higher. As regards prosecutors, GRECO welcomes legislative amendments which oblige them to publicly disclose their belongings above a sure benefit.

 GRECO and the Slovak Republic