In a recent interview, Juraj Gedra, who leads the Slovak government office, discussed the government's approach to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) following a ruling by the Constitutional Court that halted a coalition's proposed amendment to the law governing NGOs. Gedra indicated that until now, the approach taken was 'too democratic,' aiming to 'transparently' regulate the operations of NGOs. However, with the setback, the government plans to introduce strict controls instead.

Gedra emphasized that although they lost the court battle, the war against NGOs is far from over, suggesting a deep-seated frustration with the influence that the third sector has on various state institutions such as ministries, police, and the judiciary. He argued that the embedment of NGOs over the past thirty years has significantly distorted the quality of the rule of law in Slovakia. To tackle this, the government will act as a coordinating body, overseeing the activities of all control mechanisms aimed at NGOs, particularly those in the capital who try to influence public policy.

The proposed controls are expected to target major players operating in Slovakia who, according to Gedra, meddle in the political affairs of parties. He specifically mentioned a foundation as a notable entity of concern, highlighting the increased scrutiny that these organizations will face under the new regime. This response reflects a broader tension in Slovakia regarding the role and power of civil society organizations in influencing policy and governance, raising questions about the balance between regulation and the freedoms of NGOs.