Slovakia's parliament changes constitution to recognise only two sexes and restrict adoption

Published connected 26/09/2025 - 19:52 GMT+2 •Updated 20:23

Slovakia's parliament passed an amendment to nan constitution connected Friday that recognises only 2 sexes, on pinch different measures that critics opportunity mightiness breach nan country’s world obligations and undermine nan protection of quality rights.

The amendment, which was drafted by Prime Minister Robert Fico's government, required a three-fifths majority.

It passed pinch 90 votes successful nan 150-seat National Council, pinch 12 lawmakers from nan blimpish guidance helping nan ruling conjugation triumph nan vote.

The amended constitution now recognises only 2 sexes, antheral and female, and states that Slovakia retains sovereignty successful matters of "national identity," which is not specifically defined, particularly successful "fundamental cultural-ethical questions."

The amendment besides makes it almost intolerable for anyone different than joined couples to adopt children.

The constitution had already defined matrimony arsenic "a unsocial national betwixt a man and a woman."

Parental consent is now needed for entree to intersexual acquisition and adjacent salary for men and women is guaranteed.

Justice Minister Boris Susko told parliament that nan amendment should boost accepted values.

International condemnation

Amnesty International condemned nan move.

"Today, nan Slovak authorities chose to follow nan lead of countries, specified arsenic Hungary, whose policies person led to an erosion of quality rights," it said successful a statement.

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty antecedently urged lawmakers not to springiness a greenish ray to nan changes.

He said they contradict "the realities of trans and intersex group and whitethorn effect connected quality authorities guarantees specified arsenic entree to ineligible gender recognition."

"Seeking to disapply circumstantial authorities because they touch upon 'national identity' would beryllium fundamentally incompatible pinch nan Slovak Republic's world obligations," he added.

Fico has agelong been a divisive figure, some astatine location and crossed Europe.

His critics declare that nether his norm Slovakia has abandoned its pro-Western people and is tilted much towards Moscow, successful a akin vein to Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Thousands of group person many times rallied crossed Slovakia to protestation Fico's perceived pro-Russian stance and different policies.

Fico has refused to autumn successful pinch nan remainder of nan EU successful slapping sanctions connected Russia successful consequence to its full-scale penetration of Ukraine and has said Ukraine will not beryllium invited to subordinate NATO.