Slovakia’s opposition Christian Democratic Party (KDH) declared it would not support Prime Minister Robert Fico’s constitutional amendments.
The reforms aim to define only two genders, ban adoption by same-sex couples, and assert the primacy of Slovak law over EU regulations.
KDH chairman Milan Majerský criticised the move as a “fake game” by Fico, accusing the prime minister of pushing the reforms to distract from his government’s inability to secure the 76 votes needed to pass ordinary legislation. Constitutional changes require a higher threshold of 90 votes, making the proposals unlikely to succeed without opposition support.
Someone wants to change the constitution now that they are at their wits end because they cannot guarantee 76 votes. It’s a fake game on the part of Prime Minister Fico.
Majerský challenged Fico’s coalition partners – Smer, Hlas, and SNS – to prove their conservative credentials by backing a similar constitutional amendment the KDH plans to submit in March.
Fico’s proposals sparked controversy, particularly the clause prioritising Slovak law over EU regulations. EU Democracy and Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath emphasised that the primacy of EU law, established by the Court of Justice of the EU, was “non-negotiable.”
The KDH’s opposition aligns with broader resistance to Fico’s agenda. Progressive Slovakia (RE) and Freedom and Solidarity (NI), two other opposition parties, have refused to participate in a roundtable discussion organised by President Peter Pellegrini to address Slovakia’s foreign policy orientation.
Fico’s push for constitutional changes reflects his government’s attempt to consolidate support among conservative voters. However, the proposals risk deepening divisions within Slovakia and straining relations with the EU.
