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Slovenia’s government has announced a sweeping reform of its anti-corruption mechanisms, marking one of the most significant overhauls of the country’s judicial system in recent years. On 16 July, the government approved a proposed law establishing a specialized prosecution unit called SKOK, which stands for Specialized Prosecution for Corruption and Organized Crime. This initiative aims to streamline the investigation and prosecution of high-profile corruption and organized crime cases, addressing long-standing criticisms of inefficiency and fragmentation in the current legal framework. The reform replaces the existing Specialized State Prosecutor’s Office with the new SKOK, which will operate alongside a newly established specialized court focused solely on the most severe forms of corruption, organized crime, and white-collar offenses. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), currently part of the police force, will continue to conduct investigations but will be required to act upon instructions from SKOK prosecutors. This shift is intended to reduce jurisdictional conflicts and overlapping responsibilities that have historically slowed down investigations. Under the proposed law, the process for handling such cases will become more centralized, moving seamlessly from police investigators to specialized prosecutors and ultimately to judges who specialize in these areas. Appeals will be heard exclusively by the Higher Court in Maribor. The government claims this streamlined approach, modeled partially on the procedures used by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, will drastically reduce the time needed to resolve complex cases. The reform also includes provisions to expand the number of specialized prosecutors from at least 10 to at least 25 and to revise the appointment processes for these roles. Additionally, the government has emphasized the need for greater transparency and institutional accountability, requiring the head of the new specialized court to report annually to Parliament on the handling of major corruption and organized crime cases. Economy Minister and Democratic Party leader Anže Logar described the reform as a necessary step following years of ineffective prosecution. He stated that the current system has failed to deliver swift and decisive action against corruption and organized crime, leading to prolonged investigations that often drag on for years. Logar highlighted that the reform is not aimed at increasing political influence but rather ensuring faster and more efficient investigations and prosecutions. The symbolic presentation of the bill took place in a dilapidated building in Ljubljana, previously purchased by the former government for seven million euros. The current administration views this structure as a prime example of the type of corruption the new institution seeks to combat. Despite the government’s enthusiasm, the proposed law has faced considerable scrutiny from legal experts and institutions. Professor Miha Šepec from the Faculty of Law in Maribor praised efforts to combat corruption but warned that the proposed changes might not be sufficient. He noted that the reform does not eliminate the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption (KPK), which plays a crucial role in identifying potential corruption risks rather than directly prosecuting them. Šepec expressed concerns that merging KPK with SKOK could lead to a regression in compliance with EU standards. The Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office criticized the proposed law, arguing that it undermines the professional autonomy of the prosecution by increasing political influence over personnel decisions. Similarly, the Supreme Court indicated that they were still reviewing the proposal and found initial impressions concerning. Five independent institutions, the Ombudsman, Audit Chamber, KPK, Information Commissioner, and Defender of Equality, jointly warned that the legislative process for the SKOK bill was inappropriate, emphasizing that rapid changes to complex legal matters typically do not yield appropriate and constitutional solutions. The government insists that the reform is essential to address systemic issues in the current anti-corruption framework. Justice Minister Mihael Zupančič explained that the new system would ensure a clear chain of responsibility from the start of an investigation through to the final judgment, reducing delays and improving efficiency. He cited statistics showing that corruption and organized crime cost Slovenia approximately 3.5 billion euros annually, equivalent to 300 million euros lost each month, funds that could otherwise support public services. The proposed law is expected to come into effect on 1 January 2027, following a fast-track legislative process. It represents a significant step in the government’s commitment to combating corruption and enhancing the effectiveness of the judiciary, despite ongoing debates and concerns regarding its potential impact on prosecutorial independence and institutional integrity.