MEPs put Slovenia’s Janša in the Hot Seat

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This week, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are questioning Slovenia’s president, Janez Janša, on what is holding up Slovenia from appointing its prosecutors to the EU’s public prosecutors office (“EPPO”) –  a body designed to ensure proper use of EU funds.

Following the recent commencing of Slovenia’s 6-month presidency, yesterday Janša was present in the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, where he outlined his country’s priorities for its stint: the Next Generation EU stimulus package, adoption of national recovery plans and the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Following that, MEPs raised the missing prosecutors and the issue of deteriorating press freedom in Slovenia with him. Regarding the latter issue, Reporters Without Borders recently noted that Slovenia’s ruling party has “stepped up its campaign of smears and threats against journalists.”

Despite his government having canceled two previous EPPO nominees, which prompted Slovenia’s justice minister to resign, president Janša attributed Slovenia not making its appointments to procedural complications. Slovenia’s two prosecutors, he said, would be named when the country instates a new minister of justice, in the fall. He said he believes all member states should participate in EPPO.

With one MEP accusing Janša of wanting to join European leaders who do not respect rule of law, some have suggested that the European Council should hold back Slovenia’s allocation of the EU’s EUR 750 billion COVID-19 recovery package until Janša’s government fulfills its commitment to EPPO.

Sources: DW, eureporter