If the government's amendment to the Constitution does not pass the final vote on Thursday, Smer-SD will abandon the issue, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) announced earlier that day. He added that this is the last time when 42 Smer-SD MPs are ready to support such a constitutional amendment.
Later on Thursday, Parliamentary Chair Richard Raši (Hlas-SD) announced that MPs will finally vote on the government's amendment to the Constitution at 11.00 a.m. on Friday (September 26).
After a short delay parliament voted and approved the constitutional amendment that defines the existence of only two genders – male and female – in the Slovak Constitution and also introduces a constitutional guarantee of equal pay for men and women for the same work.
Aside from coalition MPs, the amendment was supported by all opposition lawmakers from the KDH caucus except for František Majerský and František Mikloško, who abstained. Also casting votes of support were three MPs from the 'Slovakia'-Za ludi-KU caucus: Richard Vašečka, Marek Krajčí and Rastislav Kratky. Among coalition legislators, only Jan Ferenčák (Hlas-SD) was absent and didn't vote.
Therefore, of the 99 MPs present, 90 voted in favour, seven opposed the proposal, two abstained, and none refrained.
The legislation further regulates child adoption and the educational process. According to its proponents, the aim is to strengthen Slovakia’s sovereignty in matters of values and cultural-ethical issues.
"Strengthening the protection of traditional values is key to preserving the cultural heritage of the Slovak Republic and ensuring legal stability. The constitutional amendment responds to the need to safeguard the cultural heritage enshrined in the preamble of the Slovak Constitution, particularly in recognising marriage as a unique union between a man and a woman," the approved government proposal states.
The amendment highlights Slovakia's sovereignty in fundamental cultural-ethical matters, including the protection of life and human dignity, private and family life, marriage, parenthood and family, culture and language, as well as related areas such as health care, upbringing and education.
The changes also expand the constitutional regulation of social rights, specifically the status of the family and the enshrinement of parental rights.
The amendment incorporates a joint motion by the governing coalition, the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), and MPs from the KU, which was approved in June. As a result, the Constitution will now include a ban on surrogacy as well as a child's right to know its parents, stating explicitly that the mother is a woman and the father is a man.
The changes also define gender based on biological criteria and reinforce parental rights within the school system.
The constitutional amendment is set to take effect on November 1st.
According to Premier Fico, the amendment has been consulted also at the international level. The Premier noted that the coalition gave in to the opposition when amendments from the Christian Democrats (KDH) and the Christian Union (KU) were included in the amendment. "This is the last moment when 42 MPs are willing to make available practically half of a constitutional majority," he stressed.
Fico added that if the amendment didn’t pass, Slovakia would have lost a historic chance. Smer-SD, he said, can't accept anyone rejecting the proposal just "because it's Smer-SD, because it's this government".
"If the amendment to the Constitution doesn't pass today, we'll have no chance until the end of the electoral term," reiterated Fico on Thursday, adding that he sees no point in dragging out the decision on amending the Constitution. According to him, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe has confirmed that the constitutional protection of traditional values and sovereignty is in line with international standards. "The draft constitutional amendment reinforces a restrictive stance on adoption, favours heterosexual married couples and significantly raises the bar for future legal reforms by enshrining these provisions in the Constitution. This in itself doesn't contravene European standards," the Prime Minister quoted the commission as stating.
Source: TASR
