BRATISLAVA – Slovakia’s governing coalition on Friday moved swiftly to override President Peter Pellegrini’s veto of a bill abolishing the Whistleblower Protection Office, sealing the authority’s shutdown from 1 January 2026 despite sharp criticism from the European Commission and anti-corruption watchdogs.
The override came less than 24 hours after Pellegrini – normally a close ally of Prime Minister Robert Fico – unexpectedly returned the bill to parliament.
He cited EU concerns over dismantling an independent oversight body, but critics said the unusually rapid veto effectively enabled the coalition to overturn it during the final parliamentary session of the year, while limiting the time available for the Constitutional Court, which is already reviewing the law.
The Whistleblower Protection Office (WPO) will be replaced by a new body under new leadership. Fico’s government sought its abolition after the office fined the Interior Ministry three times, totaling 114,000, for failing to protect whistleblowers.
Brussels, legal experts and NGOs warn that Slovakia now risks infringement proceedings or losing EU recovery funds tied to safeguarding whistleblower protection.
The veto override unfolded amid a chaotic legislative push that began on Thursday night, marked by shouting, insults and even physical confrontation between MPs.
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