Slovakia: parliament passes NGO law
The parliament in Bratislava has passed a controversial law imposing tight restrictions on NGOs. In future such organisations will have to present a detailed account of their funding sources and disclose the names of major donors. Prime Minister Robert Fico's government had planned even stricter regulations but watered them down following mass demonstrations and a warning from the EU Commission.
Betrayal of the 1989 revolution
Sme sees Slovakia heading towards a Russian scenario:
“The governing coalition in parliament has brought Slovakia into the group of 'rogue states' such as Russia, Georgia and Hungary, which restrict citizens' democratic rights and political freedoms with laws against civil society organisations. ... The coalition tried in vain to communicate the law in such a way as to remove the label 'Russian law'. ... This is a legislative counter-revolution against the freedom and democracy we fought for and won in 1989. They think they've won, but the opposite is the case. They have lost vis-à-vis history - and they will also lose in court.”
The president must pull the emergency brake
Acting together, the EU and President Peter Pellegrini have the clout to slow Fico down, the Neue Zürcher Zeitung points out:
“Fico has his sights set on illiberal reforms similar to those in Hungary - as evidenced by the NGO law. Brussels should closely monitor domestic developments in Slovakia and intervene in good time. Pellegrini could act as a second corrective force. He already dared to break with Fico once, when he left his party. And in recent times he has not been sparing in his criticism of the PM, not only in relation to foreign policy. The president should follow his words with action. If he really fears for Slovakia's Western orientation, he must not sign the Russia-inspired NGO law.”