The European Union again shows that its slogans on democracy, equality and respect for the sovereignty of the associate States are of limited value. erstwhile 1 of the countries chooses a government that deviates from the liberal-centralist line of Brussels, force machinery is launched. Now Slovakia is under fire.
After Robert Fico, the Conservative and Eurosceptic Prime Minister again took power, an crucial German politician, Friedrich Merz, threatened: if Slovakia "removed from European values", it could be deprived of EU funds.
It's not a coincidence. This is another component of the larger image where the EU is increasingly applying force mechanisms to those who dare to differ.
Friedrich Merz, president of the German CDU, did not talk in this case as a casual commentator. The CDU is the main opposition organization in Germany, and for decades besides a force shaping EU policy. Merz, on public television, ZDF, said directly:
"If Slovakia continues to deviate from common European values, we must consider limiting its access to EU funds".
another words have besides been said: "a threat to the regulation of law" and "the request to put force on associate States to stay loyal to the EU".
These statements caused a storm, not only in Slovakia, but besides among European policy observers. Merz, although not formally in office in the Union's structures, speaks from the position of a politician representing the largest associate country and, as crucial as that, ideologically fits into how Brussels treats the "uncomfortable" central European governments.
The Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico did not stay in debt. He called Merza's words "insolent blackmail" and "unacceptable interference in the interior affairs of a sovereign state". Fico recalled that his government was elected in free democratic elections and did not intend to submit to the ideological dictatorship of Brussels. “We do not accept money for loyalty. If this is simply a condition, let them leave it to themselves," said the Prime Minister in an emotional speech.
Fico has long been a politician who annoys EU decision-makers. He was already seen as an opponent of the EU federalisation in erstwhile terms. After his return to power in 2023, even before the establishment of the government, he announced a revision of Ukraine's relations, a simplification in migration, support for conventional values and a stronger empowerment of Slovakia in the EU forum. He besides hit foreign-funded media and announced the settlement of influential NGOs with abroad support.
However, the top opposition was caused by his policy towards the war in Ukraine. Fico made it clear: Slovakia will not send arms, will not support fresh packages of sanctions if they hit Slovakia's industry, and will not agree to the "Brussels compulsions" on this issue. Brussels has taken this as an effort at independency – something that the EU office cannot tolerate.
The case of Slovakia resembles the erstwhile EU conflicts with Poland and Hungary. In both countries, Brussels utilized a very akin scenario: allegations of "infringement of the regulation of law", media campaign, followed by financial blackmail. In the case of Poland, this resulted in blocking billions of euros from the National Reconstruction Plan. The European Commission has made the payment of these funds conditional on changes in the judiciary and compliance with alleged milestones. Even erstwhile the government tried to implement compromise reforms, measures were inactive being held back. Reason? Formally – the regulation of law. Informally – inconsistent with the ideological line of Brussels.
It was akin in Hungary. Viktor Orbán's government has been on a collision course with the European Commission for years. Refusal to accept migrants, protection of Christian values, laws limiting the influence of George Soros – each of these decisions was an inflammatory point. And everyone was facing financial threats. Finally, the EC blocked any of the Structural Funds for Hungary. Although the Hungarian economy suffered very badly, Orbán continued – and his attitude brought him support from voters tired of the dominance of EU political correctness.
The practice of financial blackmail has become a fresh standard for the EU. The problem is that it does not apply to all countries. erstwhile Germany breaks EU budget deficit rules, no 1 talks about blocking funds. erstwhile there are violent clashes between police and protesters in France, the word “lawfulness” does not appear. Belgium? The European Commission has ignored the corruption scandal in the Euro-Parliament involving Belgian politicians. There are always “exceptions”, there is always “a broader context”.
Why should Slovakia be punished? Is it ‘European values’, or alternatively that it does not want to go in a consecutive line? It is increasingly hard to defend the thesis that the EU is seeking equal treatment. Equal are those who obey. And those who question the dominant line – meet with political and financial rhetoric.
It is worth remembering that EU funds are not money ‘gived by Brussels’. This is part of the contribution that each associate State makes to the common budget. Funds return to countries in the form of investments, subsidies and improvement projects. Trying to halt them is not a punishment – it's stealing. And it's ideologically motivated.
If the European Union wants to stay a community, it must redefine its objectives. It cannot be an ideological tool for the largest associate States. It must not force a consensus on matters that should stay the domain of sovereign nations. It should start by building mechanisms for real dialog – not forced, not blackmailed, but partnered.
Slovakia, as before Poland and Hungary, is present a symbol of opposition to the increasing centralism of the EU. And if Brussels continues to respond forcefully to any different opinion, it may look forward to the minute erstwhile the next associate States will begin to undermine the sense of continuing membership in the Union so constructed.
The question is not present whether any country will leave the Union. The question is: who will say halt first – and how many will follow him.