Man and Woman – Slovakia Follows Hungary’s Example in Constitutional Amendment

The Slovak government on Wednesday moved to the second reading a proposal to amend the constitution to establish two biological sexes: male and female. It would also include in the constitution a guarantee of equality between men and women in terms of pay for work. The amendment also affects the regulation of adoptions and the education system, reports ma7.sk.

“Strengthening the protection of traditional values is key to preserve Slovakia’s cultural heritage and ensure legal stability. The proposal for a constitutional amendment is therefore a response to the protection of cultural heritage enshrined in the preamble to the Constitution of the Slovak Republic, in particular related to the recognition of marriage between a man and a woman as a unique institution,” says the proposal submitted to the government by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD).

The proposal underlines Slovakia’s sovereignty in fundamental cultural and ethical matters, in particular the protection of life and human dignity, private and family life, marriage, parenthood and family, language and culture.

In this context, the amendment also concerns health, education and training.

The draft extends family law and social law legislation, paying particular attention to the institution of the family and parental rights.

The proposal also defines the persons who may adopt minor children and broadens the constitutional definition of parental rights. These include the right of parents to decide on the participation of their children in educational processes beyond the state education program.

The amendment would also require that the state education program be in line with the constitution.

Of the 143 MPs present, 81 supported it, 40 were against and 22 abstained. In addition to the coalition MPs, the proposal was also supported by opposition politicians Anna Záborská and Richard Vašečka of the Christian Union party, Hlavné správy reported. They justified their vote by saying that the protection of Slovakia’s sovereignty, the protection of marriage, family, children and life takes precedence over political struggle.

It was at the beginning of March that Fidesz submitted the 15th amendment to the Fundamental Law to parliament on the same matter regarding biological sexes. The Hungarian governing party’s proposal specifies in the article on families that a person is either male or female. Furthermore, it states that all children have the right to the protection and care necessary for their proper physical, mental, and moral development. This right takes precedence over all other fundamental rights, except the right to life.

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