Press Release: Independence of Telecoms Regulators: Commission launches infringement case against Slovakia

The European Commission expressed concerns that Slovakia does not adequately protect the independence of its national telecoms regulator (TÚSR). The Slovak Parliament dismissed the chairman of TÚSR on 4 December 2008. This procedure, and the rules that allow it, do not comply with EU rules that say national laws must guarantee the independence of the regulator from interference that could affect the impartiality of its decisions. The letter of formal notice that the Commission sent on May 14 is the first stage of an infringement proceeding against a Member State not complying with EU rules which can eventually lead to a case before the European Court of Justice.