Slovakia's ruling coalition faces vote on informant law benefits

The Slovak ruling coalition is facing a critical test following the loss of its parliamentary majority. A key issue is a proposed amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code regarding benefits for cooperating accused individuals, known as informants.

Tomáš Taraba, an unaffiliated MP and former Minister of the Environment, has announced that he and a group of three other departed MPs will not support the amendment if it proceeds to a vote. Critics have suggested the changes could potentially benefit Tibor Gašpar, the former Deputy Speaker of Parliament, in the Očistec case.

Robert Puci, chairman of the Hlas parliamentary club, stated that the coalition has 24 hours to negotiate with Taraba's group. Puci suggested that negotiations should ideally take place between Prime Minister Robert Fico and Taraba to determine the conditions under which the group might support the bill. The parliamentary vote on the third reading is scheduled for Wednesday at 11:00.