Slovak MPs Gašpar and Dubéci clash over EU rule‑of‑law report and health insurer merger

In a live debate on TA3, Slovak parliamentarians Tibor Gašpar (Smer‑SD) and Martin Dubèi (PS) disputed the European Commission’s recent rule‑of‑law assessment of Slovakia. Gašpar defended the government’s stance, saying the proposed merger of the public health insurers Dôvera and Union is not yet completed and could comply with EU regulations if approved by the Commission. He also argued that existing anti‑corruption tools and investigative capacities are adequate.

Dubèi countered that the merger could lessen competition and reduce efficiency, and he called for a return to stricter criminal penalties for public officials, echoing provisions from the pre‑2024 criminal code. He criticised the government for weak prosecution of large‑scale corruption and urged stronger enforcement of EU‑fund rules, referencing the National Audit Office’s findings and the handling of euro‑fund allocations.