Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response

18.5.2026 B100245/1

Amendment 1

Milan Uhrík, Milan Mazurek

on behalf of the ESN Group

Motion for a resolution B100245/2026

PPE, S&D, Renew, Verts/ALE, The Left

Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response

Motion for a resolution

Recital C a (new)

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Ca. whereas, pursuant to Article 4(2) TEU, the EU is bound to respect the equality of Member States before the Treaties as well as their national identities, inherent in their fundamental political and constitutional structures; whereas the assessment of the rule of law must be carried out objectively, impartially and on the basis of clearly established legal criteria, and must not be used as an instrument of political pressure against democratically elected governments or national parliaments;

Or. en

18.5.2026 B100245/2

Amendment 2

Milan Uhrík, Milan Mazurek

on behalf of the ESN Group

Motion for a resolution B100245/2026

PPE, S&D, Renew, Verts/ALE, The Left

Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 1

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

Expresses deep concern over the deterioration of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Slovakia; highlights that verifiable adherence by the Member States to both the rule of law and the Charter must be regarded as an essential precondition to receiving any EU funds; underlines that all programmes and investments financed by the EU budget must serve the public interest; stresses that systemic deficiencies in the rule of law, in particular in the independence of the judiciary and in audit and control systems, endanger the protection of the EU’s financial interests;

Underlines that all programmes and investments financed by the EU budget must serve the public interest;

Or. en

18.5.2026 B100245/3

Amendment 3

Milan Uhrík, Milan Mazurek

on behalf of the ESN Group

Motion for a resolution B100245/2026

PPE, S&D, Renew, Verts/ALE, The Left

Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 4

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

4. Expresses deep concern about the constitutional amendments in Slovakia, in particular those restricting fundamental rights, the rule of law and the primacy of EU law; notes with concern that civil society organisations have warned that these amendments may violate fundamental rights; stresses that constitutional provisions must be formulated with sufficient precision to prevent arbitrary interpretation and must fully comply with obligations under EU law, including the Charter, as well as international human rights standards; recalls that the primacy of EU law and the binding nature of international obligations must be fully respected and that no constitutional provision can justify non-compliance with judgments of the CJEU or the European Court of Human Rights; calls on the Slovak authorities to ensure that its Constitution complies fully with EU law and international human rights law and to take into account the recommendations of the Venice Commission and international human rights bodies, in particular as regards the primacy of EU law, the rights to private and family life, non-discrimination on grounds of gender and sexual orientation and the right to education;

4. Fully respects the constitutional amendments in Slovakia, emphasising that the right to amend and adopt a national constitution is a sovereign and exclusive prerogative of each Member State; underlines that such processes are an expression of national constitutional identity, which the EU is bound to respect under the Treaties; recognises that the internal organisation of public authorities and the formulation of constitutional provisions fall within the primary competence of the Member States;

Or. en

18.5.2026 B100245/4

Amendment 4

Milan Uhrík, Milan Mazurek

on behalf of the ESN Group

Motion for a resolution B100245/2026

PPE, S&D, Renew, Verts/ALE, The Left

Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response

Motion for a resolution

Paragraph 15

Motion for a resolution

Amendment

15. Expresses deep concern about the deterioration of media freedom and pluralism in Slovakia, including political interference in public service media, pressure on journalists through a climate of hostility, smear campaigns and disinformation, the use of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), including by high-ranking political figures, and the risk of a concentration of media ownership in politically aligned hands, combined with dismissals of key cultural institution leaders, which risk creating a chilling effect on press freedom and public discourse; stresses that a weakened media environment significantly reduces democratic scrutiny and facilitates corruption in the implementation of EU funds; calls on the Slovak authorities to fully implement the Commission’s recommendations regarding the media, in particular as regards the legal framework for public service media, in compliance with the European Media Freedom Act and ensuring editorial independence and the protection of journalists; calls on Slovakia to fully and effectively comply with the European Media Freedom Act and urges the Commission to closely and proactively monitor its implementation; recalls that the Slovak authorities have to respect the freedom of expression and arts in the functioning and funding of cultural institutions, and to refrain from the misuse of legal actions that restrict public debate; pays tribute to Ján Kuciak following his assassination and to his essential work as an investigative journalist; calls on the Slovak authorities to ensure that justice is served in this case;

15. Stresses that the regulation and organisation of the media landscape are part of the sovereign prerogative of the Member States, while emphasising the fundamental principle that journalists and media outlets should maintain strict impartiality, professional independence and objectivity in their reporting;

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