BRATISLAVA, June 21, (WEBNOVINY) — Slovak Prime Minister Iveta Radicova (SDKU-DS) has emphasized that government’s priority is restoration of confidence in the judiciary, enforceability of laws for all people in Slovakia regardless their status, wealth or contacts and affiliations. “Sixty-five percent of Slovak citizens do not have confidence in courts. One in two Slovaks assumes that corruption and cronyism prevails at prosecutor’s offices and courts,” stated Radicova at a press meeting. For that reason the Cabinet is beating the drum for the change and reform that would facilitate “citizens’ equality in the face of the law“ at courts, prosecutor’s offices and in legal assistance.
Radicova underscored that her Cabinet already tried to implement fundamental reform measures during the first year of its ruling and emphasized that the justice minister took over the department in a difficult situation with a divided judiciary. Radicova spoke highly of the enacted requirement to publish of public sector contracts on the Internet as of January 1 and the establishment of the central register of contracts with retrospective effect dating back to the year 2000 and called it the first fundamental step that contributes to quashing profiteering from public funds in Slovakia.
Last year, the whole accumulated debt of the Justice Ministry, namely payments to lawyers, appraisers, interpreters, witnesses and outstanding compensations for crime victims exceeding EUR 18 million, were paid off. “These EUR 18 million do not represent a minor sum for the ministry,” said the Prime Minister.
As for courts and prosecution, changes that will boost the confidence in the judiciary, extend the space for public control and enhance independent decision-making of courts and prosecutor’s office, have been introduced. The first package of changes effective as of May 1 comprises the model of open recruitment procedures for judges, publishing of court decisions and stricter sanctions for violations of random distribution of files to judges. “We have confronted cronyism in filling positions of judges and prosecutors,” stressed Radicova. She also praised the Justice Minister for drawing responsibility towards fourteen recalled presiding judges of district and regional courts.
Besides changes in the judiciary, measures that should improve the business environment in Slovakia have been implemented. The Prime Minister opines that this reform is crucial for boosting the growth of jobs and employment. It comprises one hundred measures, for example electronization of the Commercial Bulletin planned as of July 1 and the long-awaited Cabinet-approved revision to the law on bankruptcy and restructuring.
“I took over the Justice Ministry at the time when citizens had very little faith in courts and when decent and inconvenient judges were intimidated,” said Justice Ministry Lucia Zitnanska (SDKU-DS) adding that surveys showed that the business environment was dissatisfied with weak law enforcement and the ministry was sinking in debt. She highlighted transparency, openness, and effectiveness as fundamental features reform of the judiciary last year.
SITA