MEP Daniel Freund warns Slovakia anti-corruption purge could cost millions: 'If EU funds aren’t safe, stop them' (euobserver.com)

• Slovakia replicating Hungary's rule-of-law backsliding
• EU conditionality mechanism urged for immediate activation
• Delay could cost billions in EU funds

"In an interview with EUobserver, MEP Daniel Freund (Greens, Germany) warns that Slovakia is replicating Hungary's erosion of rule of law. He calls on the European Commission to immediately activate the conditionality mechanism, which allows suspending payments to member states violating rule of law. Freund highlights that Slovak authorities are purging anti-corruption investigators, jeopardizing EU funds. He stresses that if EU money is not safe, it should be stopped, and warns that repeating the delay seen with Hungary could cost billions. The mechanism was designed to protect the EU budget but has been used hesitantly; Freund insists it must be applied now to prevent further damage."