The European Parliament’s move to form an investigative body for scrutinizing NGO funding from EU sources highlights the need for transparency in the civil sector, according to Zacharová. This initiative aims to bolster public trust through enhanced oversight, not to attack civil society, despite criticisms. The Slovak Constitutional Court is currently reviewing the law after opposition parties and NGOs filed complaints, though it remains effective pending the court’s decision.
Several NGOs have criticized the Slovak law, accusing Bratislava of using the European Parliament’s initiative for political purposes. Boris Strečanský from Platform for Democracy, a coalition of Slovak NGOs, expressed concern that actions by EU institutions are being misinterpreted in Slovakia, citing Zacharová’s statement as evidence. Michal Piško of Transparency International Slovakia cited a European Court of Auditors report indicating insufficient transparency in EU NGO funding, which Slovakia used to justify its position. He noted past attempts to evade accountability for implementing a restrictive NGO law in Slovakia, following the European Court of Auditors’ report.
Tomáš Zdechovský of the European People’s Party expressed concern over some governments potentially misusing the European Parliament decision for oppressive measures, stressing opposition to such actions. The Slovak law’s most contentious aspect, branding NGOs as foreign agents, was altered after the European Commission cautioned Bratislava in its 2024 Rule of Law report, threatening EU legal action. The revised version, which labeled NGOs as lobbyists, was also abandoned to facilitate the legislation’s approval.
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