Following a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, Slovak authorities are required to recognize same-sex marriages legally concluded in another EU member state, provided at least one spouse is an EU citizen. However, this obligation is currently not being implemented in practice.
According to Martin Macko of the Inakosť Initiative, the issue lies in the procedures of the special registry office, which reportedly refuses to accept applications for recognition of such marriages. Applicants are also allegedly not issued formal rejections, leaving couples without an official decision to challenge.
As a result, affected couples are turning to the Office of the Prosecutor General. Its spokesperson, Jana Tökölyová, confirmed that the office is already handling at least one complaint regarding the legality of the registry office’s procedures. The case is currently being reviewed within the statutory deadline.
Lawyer Jánoš Fiala-Butora notes that some couples have begun pursuing their rights through international courts. He also warns that continued non-compliance with EU obligations could lead to infringement proceedings by the European Commission, potentially resulting in financial penalties or restrictions on EU funding.
Prime Minister Robert Fico has reportedly requested that Parliament adopt implementing legislation clarifying that same-sex marriages performed abroad cannot be registered in Slovak civil registries. Fiala-Butora cautions that such a move would further deepen tensions with the European Union and increase the risk of sanctions.
Source: STVR
