Slovenia’s National Assembly has approved legislation establishing a new specialised agency to prosecute corruption and organised crime, a reform the government says will strengthen the country’s ability to tackle complex financial and organised crime.
The legislation also restructures the judicial system by replacing four existing specialised court departments with a single Specialised Court based in Ljubljana, which will serve the entire country as a first-instance court. Appeals will be handled exclusively by the Higher Court in Maribor, while the National Bureau of Investigation will be required to initiate or take over investigations into offences within SKOK’s jurisdiction.
The reform has faced criticism from justice-sector stakeholders and the centre-left opposition, particularly over concerns about political influence and the speed of its adoption.
Under the new system, the justice minister would have greater discretion in selecting senior prosecutors, while abuse of office — a crime frequently associated with public officials and politicians — would not fall within SKOK’s remit. Critics argue that the changes may therefore fail to make the fight against corruption more effective.
The government has defended the legislation as a major improvement to the prosecution system. Justice Minister Mihael Zupančič rejected concerns about politicisation, saying politicians would not decide which cases prosecutors pursue or how judges rule. The new system is scheduled to enter into force on 1 July 2027, giving institutions additional time to prepare for the transition.
