The Albany Gazette - Slovak parliament approves anti-LGBTQ constitutional change 

Since his return to power in 2023, nationalist Prime Minister Robert Fico has often been at odds with the 27-nation bloc.

He has faced a series of protests in the EU and NATO member over his drive to curb rights, with Europe's top rights organisation on Wednesday warning about the amendment.

The parliament approved the amendment with 90 votes in favour and seven against, enough to pass it in the 150-seat parliament.

In total, 99 MPs were present with most of the opposition staying away from the vote.

Fico on Thursday had described the vote as a "historic opportunity to change the constitution."

Earlier this week, two coalition lawmakers said the vote would be postponed indefinitely, but Fico insisted it would go ahead.

Michal Simecka, leader of the strongest opposition party in parliament, Progressive Slovakia, called the vote "shameful".

The amendment "will hurt the people of Slovakia and call into question Slovakia's place in the EU and its legal space," he said after the vote.

- 'Two sexes' -

Following the amendment's publication in late January, Fico invoked "the traditions, the cultural and spiritual heritage of our ancestors" to construct a "constitutional barrier against progressive politics" and restore "common sense".

"There are two sexes, male and female", defined at birth, the proposal states -- an echo of US President Donald Trump's inauguration speech.

"Sex cannot be modified except for serious reasons, according to procedures that will be established by law," it continues.

The amendment only authorises adoption for married couples, with rare exceptions.

Slovakia's constitution already defines marriage as a union between man and woman, following an amendment from 2014 when Fico was also prime minister.

It also states that Slovakia's "sovereignty" regarding "cultural and ethical questions" should override EU law.

In a statement Wednesday, the Council of Europe's Venice Commission "warns about the need for the definitions of 'national identity' and 'cultural and ethical issues' not to create a conflict with the existing international obligations of the Slovak Republic".

The legal advisory body also warned "that entrenching a strict binary understanding of sex in the Constitution should not result in justifying discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in subsequent legislation or state measures".

Since returning to power, Fico has also tightened his grip on what he deems "hostile" media and replaced leading figures in the country's cultural institutions.

Fico, one of the Kremlin's few allies within the EU, has also drawn Bratislava closer to Moscow since his return to power.

Thousands have repeatedly protested this year against his government in the central European country of 5.4 million people.

(B.Smith--TAG)