Slovakia parliament rejects Fico penal code reform

Slovakia's parliament rejected a key penal code amendment backed by Prime Minister Robert Fico's government on Wednesday, after his coalition lost its majority.

Only 75 lawmakers in the 150-seat chamber voted for the measure, with 74 against and one abstention. The change needed more than 75 votes to pass.

The amendment would have stopped courts from using testimony from cooperating witnesses who had previously been charged. Critics feared the measure could hamper prosecutions of senior officials.

Opposition Progressive Slovakia lawmaker Michal Simecka called the vote "a victory" for people who believe justice can prevail and said it strengthened the case for a snap election.

Parliament has already approved other penal code changes, including lower penalties for corruption and economic offences in the European Union and NATO member state.

Tibor Gaspar, a lawmaker from Fico's Smer party who is on trial, said before the vote that the reform was important because cooperating witnesses were manipulated. He said the proposed change was not connected to his own case. Gaspar is charged with forming a criminal organisation within the police force to allegedly serve Smer's interests.

Fico returned to power in 2023 by forming a coalition, but several lawmakers have recently withdrawn support. The opposition called last week for a snap election.