On 27 June, Parliament passed the "Lex Assassination," which the ruling coalition claims aims to enhance security following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Key measures include new rules for disallowing public gatherings that could impact privacy or that raise the risks of clashes among competing events. New measures also include restrictions on gatherings close to residences of individuals related to the gathering's purpose and a host of new allowances for certain officials. Former Justice Minister and opposition MP Mária Kolíková warned the law could lead to a "police state". Amnesty International said the aim is to crack down on the right to peaceful assembly. The law was signed by President Peter Pellegrini on 8 July and took effect on 15 July. 

Sources: Aktuality, Amnesty International, Euractiv, Radio Slovakia International (1), Radio Slovakia International (2), International IDEA

On 3 July, the Constitutional Court ruled that key provisions of a controversial penal code amendment approved by Parliament in February are legal. The legislation was set to take effect in March, but then-President Zuzana Čaputová and opposition parties requested a constitutional review of the reform. This legislation sparked protests across Slovakia, while the ruling coalition expedited the changes by skipping standard review procedures and restricting parliamentary debate.  Among the provisions deemed constitutionally valid are the abolition of the Special Prosecutor’s Office, which handled cases of organized crime, corruption, and extremism; a reduction in sentences for serious crimes; and shortened statutes of limitations. Opposition parties criticized the reform and the European Commission warned of possible financial repercussions. On 16 July, amid concerns about losing access to EU funds, the Parliament tweaked the Criminal Code, approving harsher penalties for crimes involving EU funding.

Sources: Constitutional Court of Slovakia, Politico, International IDEA, European Interest, Euractiv, European Commission

On 20 June, the Parliament approved a law to abolish the current public media broadcaster, Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS), and replace it with Slovak Television and Radio (STVR). Opposition MPs boycotted the vote. Prime Minister Robert Fico claimed the changes were needed due to RTVS's “political bias and conflict with the government.” The law, first introduced in March, sparked protests and concerns over media independence from journalists, media freedom organizations, then-President Zuzana Čaputová, and European Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová. In response, the government removed some elements of the bill, including a politically appointed council to coordinate the programming. Despite amendments, the law still permits early dismissal of the current Director-General and Supervisory Board, and grants government control over the STVR Board, violating the European Media Freedom Act. President Peter Pellegrini signed the law on 30 June, and it takes effect on 1 July.

Sources: International IDEA, Associated Press, Euractiv, Jurist, Balkan Insight, International Press Institute, European Federation of Journalists, The Slovak Spectator

On 15 May, a 71-year-old citizen, described as a poet and former security guard, shot Prime Minister Robert Fico multiple times when Fico was greeting supporters after a government meeting in Handlova. Despite being critically injured, Fico survived the shooting. The attacker has been charged with attempted premeditated murder. In a pre-trial detention statement, the shooter cited disagreements with the government policies as the motive for the attack. Politicians in Slovakia and international leaders have condemned the attack. The incident has raised concerns about the polarization of politics in Slovakia, with the interior minister criticizing media outlets and the opposition for their role in shaping public perception. This is Fico’s fourth term as prime minister.

Sources: Startitup, Aktuality (1), Aktuality (2), Deutsche Welle, Politico, Euronews (1), Euronews (2), International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Reuters, International IDEA

Slovakia held presidential elections, with the first round on 23 March and the second round on 6 April. The nationalist-left government candidate, Peter Pellegrini won over the opposition candidate, Ivan Korčok with 53.0 per cent of the vote. The voter turnout was 61.1 per cent in the second round. The president holds limited power in Slovakia but as an ally of the incumbent government, Peter Pellegrini’s win is expected to strengthen the current Prime Minister Robert Fico’s agenda. All 11 candidates who participated in the first round of elections were men.

Sources: Reuters, State Commission for Elections, Euronews, the Slovak Spectator, International IDEA

The Slovak government, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, has adopted a draft law that would abolish the current public media broadcaster Radio and Television of Slovakia (RTVS) and replace it with a new broadcaster, Slovak Television and Radio (STaR). The government would have more control over who sits on the Board and the Board would have the authority to appoint and remove the director. The primary reasons cited by the government for this change are the alleged bias towards liberal viewpoints within the current RTVS, as well as the alleged dissemination of false information and the incitement of hostility towards the government. Critics, including the opposition and international organisations like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the European Federation of Journalists, expressed concerns over potential government influence and the impact on media freedom. Despite this, the draft law is expected to pass in June, given the government's parliamentary majority.

Sources: Reporters without borders, Politico, Slovak Spectator (1), Slovak Spectator (2), European Federation of Journalists