By Iryna Uias
Copyright sme
Good evening. Here is the Friday, September 26 edition of Today in Slovakia – the main news of the day in just a few minutes.
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Parliament approves constitutional amendment defining gender and limiting adoption
After a brief, seconds-long silence, apparently in shock, parliament erupted in applause at 11:00 today. The governing coalition’s controversial amendment to the Slovak constitution had been approved by 90 MPs, the minimum number required.
Just a few days before the vote, the Venice Commission, an international advisory body on constitutional law, had issued an urgent opinion on Slovakia’s proposed amendment, warning that it contained vague and undefined terms such as “national identity” or “cultural and ethical issues” that could lead to arbitrary interpretation by state authorities. The previous month, lawyers and former Constitutional Court judges had also criticised the amendment.
What are the changes: Framed as a defence against “progressivism” by Prime Minister Robert Fico, who initiated it, the amendment includes several provisions: it defines gender as strictly and solely as male and female; limits adoption only to married couples; declares that EU law should not override Slovak legislation; increases state control over school curricula, requiring parental consent for lessons outside the state framework; allows the state to have a say in all school curricula; and guarantees equal pay for equal work between men and women. It also includes changes proposed by the opposition Christian Democratic Movement (KDH) and MPs for the Christian Union faction, specifically a ban on surrogacy, a child’s right to know its parents, and an explicit statement that a mother is a woman and a father is a man. The amendment, which President Pellegrini has signalled he will sign into law, is set to take effect on November 1.
What happened on Friday: In addition to the coalition parties Smer, Hlas, and the Slovak National Party (SNS), the opposition KDH – with the exception of MPs František Majerský and František Mikloško, who both abstained – and three MPs from the Slovensko-Za Ľudí-Christian Union caucus – Richard Vašečka, Marek Krajčí and Rastislav Krátky – also voted in favour. It was the latter two’s vote that came as a huge surprise, because only yesterday evening they had appeared at a party news conference promising not to support the amendment.
The vote was originally set to take place on Thursday, but was postponed on the last moment to Friday. Fico issued a warning that “this will be the last time the 42 Smer MPs are ready to vote for such a change to the constitution.” This was interpreted as pressuring KDH and other MPs who were in favour of the socially conservative parts of the change to back the amendment even though it would mean splitting with the rest of the opposition.
“I felt differently about this yesterday. After Robert Fico’s press conference, however, everything changed,” Krajčí said, as quoted by the TASR newswire, adding that he and Krátky informed their party just a few minutes before the vote of their change of heart. According to them, they wanted to “help the KDH” because, they argued, if the amendment had not passed, Smer would have taken away that party’s voters. Krajčí, who briefly served as health minister in 2020-21, said he would like to remain in the Slovensko party after its leader Igor Matovič condemned the pair’s actions.
“After nine years of seeing conservative policies and values blocked by just one or two votes, I decided to seize this opportunity and prevent conservatives from being disappointed again,” said Krátky.
Matovič called the vote by Krajčí and Krátky a “betrayal” and criticised both for how they had approached it. However, he said they wouldn’t be expelled from the party caucus for the time being.
On Thursday afternoon, when a secret vote on the amendment was being considered by Fico, Matovič said that his MPs would not back the amendment in either a secret or a public vote. His party has long styled itself as “fighting against mafia” – a reference to Smer. However, it now turns out that a significant portion of his caucus actually supports Smer policies.
What have been the reactions? Amnesty International Slovakia considers the passing of the amendment to be a devastating development that breaches international law and will lead to broader restrictions on human rights in Slovakia.
The leader of the main opposition party, Progressive Slovakia (PS), Michal Šimečka, said that the vote had put an end to any consideration of cooperation with Slovensko, saying that its MPs “jumped on board with Fico’s boundless populism, with a constitutional amendment that harms people”. Slovensko has been sidelined by other opposition parties – namely PS, the KDH, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), and recently the non-parliamentary Demokrati – when it comes to organising anti-government protests because Matovič has attacked them in the past. When it came to the KDH’s support for the amendment, Šimečka seemed less concerned, saying the party had been transparent about it from the beginning.
During a recent public protest, KDH chair Milan Majerský said that his party would be there “when Fico falls” – to which the crowd started chanting “Then don’t vote with Fico”. Majerský himself welcomed the amendment’s passage, saying that it would contribute to the “protection of human dignity”. He thanked Krajčí and Krátky for their votes.
The opposition party SaS blasted Krajčí and Krátky’s votes, calling them “disgraceful” and proof that cooperation with Slovensko is not possible.
Fico, whose party labels itself “social-democratic” but has veered populist-conservative over the past 15 years, said he considers the amendment a historic step. “We have set a line. It can serve as an example for other countries. Liberalism and progressivism are destroying Europe. Let us be proud of what we have achieved. This is a victory for Slovakia, not a victory for Smer,” he said. Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer) claimed that the amendment is not in violation of European law. Hlas and SNS both welcomed the amendment.
The Conference of Bishops of Slovakia (KBS) welcomed the amendment too, saying that Slovakia has sent a signal that it wishes to strengthen a society founded on the values of truth, freedom, justice and the dignity of human life.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Opinion: Robert Fico has turned a divisive constitutional amendment on “two genders” into a political weapon, distracting from the country’s fiscal woes while eroding both the opposition and Slovakia’s democracy, writes the Sme daily’s editor-in-chief Beata Balogová.Good news: A fresh selection of feel-good stories is here to bring some light to these rainy days. Find out how a Slovak kindergartener has charmed judges in Vancouver, which Slovak designer is dressing global celebrities, and how the secretary general of NATO got a hand-delivered painting from Slovakia. Archaeology: Probably the oldest church in central Slovakia has been uncovered, after being hidden for centuries beneath a village chapel, revealing 12th-century Romanesque foundations and mediaeval graves. Family business: From a struggling cannery to Slovakia’s largest jam producer, the Demeter family has built Riso-R into a thriving business that blends tradition, innovation and family teamwork.Finance: Slovakia’s government has passed a €2.7-billion fiscal austerity package that hikes taxes as well as health- and social-insurance levies, and changes benefits. Our full breakdown shows how it could affect your wallet in 2026.Chinese investors: Chinese EV supplier Shenzhen Uniconn is investing €23.5 million in a new Košice plant to supply Volvo and export battery components across the EU, with 130 jobs expected by 2026.
Travel: From October 11, trains will once again connect Bratislava and Vienna via Marchegg, cutting travel time to just 56 minutes after long-delayed upgrades on the Slovak side.
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FEATURE STORY
Finding home: The journey to Slovak citizenship through ancestry
After visiting more than 100 countries, Kelsey Yurek is seeking citizenship in Slovakia – a country she’s never visited but one that connects her to her ancestors. Through ancestral records, legal help, and deep reflection on identity, she embarks on a journey that is as personal as it is bureaucratic. In January 2026, she’ll finally set foot in Slovakia with her father for the first time. Read on to discover how ancestry and travel intersect in her unique story.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Spanish passion, lyricism and tango – all in Bratislava!
During these rainy autumn days, good music can be a saviour. So how about an evening full of Spanish passion, tango nostalgia, and Central European lyricism with violinist Hagit Halaf and guitarist Miriam Rodriguez Brüllová at the Bratislava Chamber Festival? Join the concert for free on September 27 at the House of Music. Learn more about this and other events to visit here.
IN OTHER NEWS
The D1 motorway towards Bratislava will face a weekend closure due to works near Vajnorské Lake. The closure will affect the section from the Bernolákovo junction to Zlaté Piesky, starting Friday at 20:00 and expected to last until Saturday night, weather permitting. According to the National Motorway Company (NDS), road markings require dry conditions and optimal temperatures, which could affect the schedule. The work involves reconstructing the left side of the D1 as part of the D1/D4 interchange project. Traffic lanes will be maintained but narrowed, and vehicles will be shifted closer to the central divider to ensure the safety of workers and drivers.Patrioti Levice claimed the final Basketball Champions League Regular Season spot after a thrilling 100-98 double-overtime victory over Denmark’s Bakken Bears in Samokov, Bulgaria. The game featured 26 lead changes, with Rickey McGill sending it to double overtime before Will Carius hit a buzzer-beating turnaround three-pointer to secure the win. Carius finished with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals, earning Player of the Game honours. Slovakia becomes the 30th country to have a BCL Regular Season club, with Levice set to face Hungarian champions Szolnoki on October 8. Despite the loss, Bakken Bears impressed with fast-paced basketball under rookie coach Skyler Bowlin. (championsleague.basketball)Slovakia’s €2.7-billion public finance consolidation package is under fire from both the Trade Union Confederation (KOZ) and the opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party, who have urged President Peter Pellegrini to veto it. KOZ criticised the bill for burdening workers, threatening living standards, and bypassing dialogue with social partners; it is calling for higher contributions from the wealthy and streamlined public spending. SaS condemned the fast-tracked parliamentary process, warning the bill would harm citizens, businesses and the economy. It also called for the removal of Slovak Information Service (SIS) director Pavol Gaspar over his alleged political bias. Both groups are pushing for the president to return the package to parliament for proper discussion. (TASR)The latest hearing in the trial of Juraj Cintula, who shot Prime Minister Robert Fico in Handlová last May, ended early at the Specialised Criminal Court in Banská Bystrica due to technical problems. Defence lawyer Namir Alyasry said upcoming audio recordings between Cintula and an undercover agent would show that his client’s criticism targeted only the prime minister, not the entire government, and that comments about the government’s fall were prompted by the agent. Earlier in the day, the court heard phone calls between Cintula and his wife that were covertly recorded during his detention. Prosecutor Katarína Habčáková said she would address their full content, and Cintula’s alleged motive, during closing arguments, expected to begin on 2 October. Cintula faces charges of committing a terrorist attack on a protected person, an offence that carries a potential life sentence; he has claimed he intended to harm Fico, but not to kill him. (Hospodárske Noviny)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: The rain will continue over the weekend, especially in western Slovakia. If you’re planning weekend activities, don’t forget to take a raincoat or umbrella. Daytime highs will range from 14°C to 19 °C. (SHMÚ)
WEEKEND PARTY TIME: This weekend, Cyprián, Václav and Michal along with Michaela are the lucky ones celebrating their name days. Don’t forget to send your best wishes to all the Cypriáns (on Saturday, September 27), Václavs (on Sunday, September 28) and, last but not least, all those Michals and Michaelas (on Monday, September 29) in your life.
Matúš Beňo contributed to this edition of News Digest.
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