Slovenia's National Assembly debates Skok Act on corruption

The Slovenian National Assembly is set to debate and vote on a government proposal known as the ‘Skok Act’. This legislation aims to establish specialized bodies to combat corruption and organized crime.

Key provisions of the bill include the transformation of the Specialized State Prosecutor's Office (SDT) into a new prosecutorial body called ‘Skok’ and the establishment of a Specialized Criminal Court of the Republic of Slovenia. Justice Minister Mihael Zupančič, representing the Demokrati party, argues the law is essential to combat corruption, noting that Slovenia loses approximately €3.5 billion annually to organized crime.

The proposal has faced significant opposition. While the governing coalition views it as a necessary step toward more effective prosecution, opposition parties and members of the judiciary, prosecution, and legal professions have expressed concerns. Critics argue the law may be harmful and could lead to new judicial delays rather than achieving its intended goals.