THOUSANDS of people have rallied across Slovakia as protests intensified against a government plan to amend the penal code.

Thursday’s demonstrations took place hours after President Zuzana Caputova voiced her strong opposition to the changes, warning that they could jeopardise the rule of law.

The plan approved by Prime Minister Robert Fico’s coalition government includes the abolition of the special prosecutors’ office, which handles serious offences such as organised crime and extremism. 

Those cases would be taken over by prosecutors in regional offices, which have not dealt with such crimes for 20 years.

The planned changes also include a reduction in punishments for corruption and some other offences, including the possibility of suspended sentences, and a significant shortening of the statute of limitations.

The coalition wants to use a fast-track parliamentary procedure to approve them.

Bratislava was among the 24 major cities and towns where protests took place on Thursday, the biggest number since they started on December 7 in the capital.

Progressive Slovakia leader Michal Simecka, whose liberal party is the strongest opposition force, said the government must “withdraw the insane legislation.”

He added: “Today, the whole of Europe is watching our fight for the rule of law and democracy.”

Critics of Mr Fico, who has been PM twice before, fear that his return to power could lead Slovakia to abandon its pro-Western course.