THOUSANDS rallied in front of Slovakia’s parliament on Wednesday to condemn a plan by the new government of populist Prime Minister Robert Fico to eliminate the office of the special prosecutor dealing with major crime and corruption.

The rally took place as lawmakers concluded a debate over that and other proposed changes to the penal code. 

The ruling coalition, which has a majority in Parliament, postponed the final vote until Thursday.

A number of people linked to the prime minister’s party face prosecution in corruption scandals. European Union institutions have questioned the planned changes, which also include reducing punishments for corruption and a significant shortening of the statute of limitations.

Michal Simecka, who leads the liberal Progressive Slovakia, the strongest opposition party, told the crowd: “It’s a matter of fact that they’re afraid of you.

“They hope it will be all over tomorrow, but that’s only a beginning.”

President Zuzana Caputova said she was ready to veto the amendment and bring a constitutional challenge if the ruling three-party coalition overrides her veto. 

Under Mr Fico’s coalition government plan, crimes such as corruption, organised crime and extremism would be taken over by prosecutors in regional offices, which haven’t dealt with such crimes for 20 years.