Slovakia has officially amended its constitution, legally defining sex as strictly male or female. This significant constitutional change, passed by a narrow margin in parliament, also imposes new restrictions on adoption, limiting it to married heterosexual couples and prohibiting surrogate pregnancies.
The amendment, framed by the government as a measure to safeguard “sovereignty in cultural and ethical matters,” has drawn sharp criticism from various organizations, including Amnesty International. These critics argue that the new law will negatively impact the lives of LGBT individuals and align Slovakia’s legal framework with more restrictive systems, drawing comparisons to Hungary and Russia.
The parliamentary vote was unexpectedly close, with the government coalition falling short of the required majority without the support of several opposition MPs. Prime Minister Robert Fico celebrated the outcome, calling it a “great dam against progressivism” and lamenting what he described as the “spread of liberal ideology like cancer.”
Legal experts suggest the amendment, particularly clauses prioritizing the Slovak constitution over EU law, could lead to legal disputes and potential sanctions from the European Union. Some analysts believe the move is a political tactic by Fico to divert public attention from declining poll numbers and unpopular government policies.
Beata Balagova, editor-in-chief of the Slovak daily SME, commented that “Fico does not genuinely care about gender issues, the ban on surrogate motherhood, or even adoptions by LGBTQ people.” She suggested the law is a tool to manage societal divisions and distract from economic challenges.
The president has indicated he will sign the amendment into law, stating that the constitutional majority provides a unified signal on a specific issue across the political spectrum. Meanwhile, Fico’s Smer-Social Democracy party faces potential expulsion from the Party of European Socialists due to its alignment with far-right parties and its foreign policy, which has included frequent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin.