Slovakia’s Fico slams Merz over EU funds warning. "The German Chancellor’s words are absolutely unacceptable in modern Europe. Like Orbán, he has opposed EU military support for Ukraine.

Slovak PM Robert Fico has hit back at remarks made by new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who on Monday floated the possibility of cutting EU funds to Slovakia and Hungary if they continue straying from the bloc's direction.

"The German Chancellor’s words are absolutely unacceptable in modern Europe. If we don’t obey, we’re to be punished? This is not the way to foster unity and cooperation", Fico said on Tuesday.

He added that “Slovakia is not some little schoolboy that needs to be lectured.”

Fico, along with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, is widely regarded as one of the most Kremlin-friendly leaders in the EU. Like Orbán, he has opposed EU initiatives to provide military and other support to Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Fico was the only EU leader to visit Moscow, where he attended events marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. His government has also faced mounting criticism for democratic backsliding, including attacks on media independence and judicial reforms that have raised alarms in Brussels.

Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár joined the criticism, expressing confidence that Merz's statements were “purely hypothetical musings, though some media are already treating them as established facts.”

Speaking at the WDR Europaforum on Monday, Merz pointed to Slovakia and Hungary as countries that "hold a different stance" on the EU’s direction and warned that if their trajectory continues, a conflict with them may be inevitable.

“It’s a small minority, but we cannot allow it to influence decisions for the entire EU. This could lead to stronger statements, or even more serious confrontations,” Merz said.

He pointed to existing EU mechanisms for disciplining member states that violate EU rules –including the option to suspend funding, already used in Hungary’s case.

Merz emphasized he does not seek confrontation but warned, “If necessary, we will deal with them.” He added that he had already raised the issue with Orbán.

No frozen funds for Slovakia

Slovakia currently faces no suspension of EU funds, and its recovery plan is on track. Last year, it risked a freeze after passing a controversial Criminal Code reform that the European Commission said failed to adequately protect EU money. The legislation was later amended.

Meanwhile, a European Parliament delegation is in Slovakia this week to assess how EU funds are being used. Delegation head Tomáš Zdechovský (European People’s Party) said they had received “troubling reports” of alleged misuse involving senior officials, which now warrant a thorough investigation.

(Natália Silenská, Euractiv.sk)