Bratislava – Slovakia’s decision to sue the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) over the RePowerEU regulation, which prohibits the import of Russian natural gas starting November 2027, has drawn criticism from opposition members of the National Council (NC) of the Slovak Republic. They argue that Slovakia is prioritizing Russian interests rather than preparing for a future without Russian gas, according to TASR.
Opposition KDH leader Milan Majerský emphasized during a press conference that Prime Minister Robert Fico previously agreed in 2014, alongside other EU leaders, to diversify Slovakia’s energy sources.
“He has failed to fulfill this obligation year after year. We are left with the burden of reliance on Russian gas and fossil fuels, which has now caught up with him and with both Hungarians and Slovaks,” Majerský stated.
KDH vice-chairman Viliam Karas noted the importance of distinguishing between respecting the EU decision and pursuing legal action. “The key point, which the prime minister must acknowledge, is the necessity to follow that decision. From my perspective as a European lawyer, while a lawsuit may not be ideal, it is not uncommon for a member state to pursue one,” he explained. He believes the Court’s ruling on the competencies of the EU and its member states could be “very interesting” and advantageous.
MP Karol Galek from the SaS party remarked that the EU’s rejection of Russian gas imports had unfortunately seen Slovakia vote against it, asserting that Fico and his ministers are merely “pro-Russian trolls.”
“Their goal is to disrupt EU unity and carry out directives from the Kremlin that Robert Fico has brought back,” he assessed Slovakia’s opposition to the RePowerEU regulation. Galek dismissed claims that Russian gas contributes to Slovakia’s energy security, arguing that the opposite is true and that most EU countries share this view.
Opposition party Hnutie Slovensko also criticized the planned lawsuit regarding the import ban on Russian gas. “Robert Fico is overly invested in Russian gas. The question is why. Countries like the Czech Republic and Poland have successfully cut ties with Russian gas without facing higher prices—in fact, their prices are lower than ours. Fico needs to clarify what cheap Russian gas we have,” stated Michal Šipoš, leader of the movement’s parliamentary club.
On Tuesday, Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced that Slovakia would sue the EU Court over the RePowerEU regulation, objecting to alleged violations of subsidiarity and proportionality principles. He reiterated his stance that this ban is an ideological move and represents an energy suicide for the EU.
Without prior approval from the relevant committee of the National Council, Slovakia voted against the EU’s RePowerEU regulation, as reported by the opposition movement Progressive Slovakia on Tuesday, January 27.
“We are left with one burden, and that is dependence on Russian gas, on Russian fossil fuels. Today it has caught up with both Hungarians and Slovaks.” Milan Majerský.
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