Slovakia has approved a divisive constitutional amendment that formally recognizes only two sexes — male and female — while banning surrogate pregnancies and restricting adoption rights exclusively to married heterosexual couples.
The move has been hailed by Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government as a defense of “traditional values,” but condemned by human rights groups and political opponents as a step toward authoritarianism.
The amendment, passed after a tense vote in the 150-seat Slovak National Council, required 90 votes to succeed. Fico’s coalition, composed of populist, nationalist, and leftist parties, controls only 78 seats. However, last-minute support from 12 opposition MPs ensured the government reached the constitutional threshold.
The conservative Christian Democrats were expected backers, but the surprise defection of several MPs from former Prime Minister Igor Matovic’s movement tipped the balance. Matovic, furious at the outcome, branded the defectors “traitors.”
The law has sparked immediate backlash. Amnesty International and other rights organizations warned it will significantly erode protections for LGBTQ people, comparing Slovakia’s new stance to illiberal regimes in Hungary and Russia.
Critics argue the constitutional changes amount to a political diversion, designed to shield Fico from declining poll numbers and discontent over unpopular austerity measures.
“This is not about values. The Slovak constitution has fallen victim to Robert Fico’s strategy of distraction,” said Beata Balagova, editor-in-chief of Slovak daily SME. “He does not genuinely care about gender or adoption issues.”
Fico, however, celebrated the victory, declaring, “This isn’t a little dam, or just a regular dam — this is a great dam against progressivism.” He has previously described liberal ideology as “spreading like cancer.” His party, Smer-Social Democracy, toasted the amendment’s success with what he called a “shot of liquor to celebrate.”
The constitutional package also asserts the primacy of Slovak law over EU law, setting up a direct legal confrontation with Brussels. Analysts say this could trigger sanctions or court battles similar to those already fought with Poland and Hungary.
President Peter Pellegrini confirmed he would sign the amendment, arguing that broad parliamentary backing reflected an important consensus across political lines. “At a time of enormous division within Slovak society, a constitutional majority is an important signal that there is agreement on a specific issue,” he said.
The amendment further isolates Fico’s government on the European stage. Reports suggest Smer will be formally expelled from the Party of European Socialists (PES) at a conference next month, having already been suspended for its coalition with the far-right Slovak National Party.
Since returning to power, Fico has strained ties with EU partners further by meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin four times in less than a year.
Progressive Slovakia, currently leading in national polls, condemned the amendment as a betrayal and vowed to cut off cooperation with Matovic’s party. With the law now embedded in the constitution, rights advocates fear Slovakia’s LGBTQ community faces an increasingly hostile legal and social environment, while the EU prepares for another bruising confrontation with a member state drifting from its liberal values.