In a move that has sparked widespread concern from human rights advocates, Slovakia’s parliament has passed a constitutional amendment that legally defines only two sexes—male and female—while also banning surrogacy and restricting adoption rights exclusively to married heterosexual couples.
The amendment passed narrowly in the 150-seat National Council, with exactly 90 votes, the minimum threshold required to change the constitution. Despite lacking a supermajority, Prime Minister Robert Fico’s government secured the vote with support from 12 conservative opposition lawmakers, whose last-minute defection ensured its success.
Fico celebrated the outcome, describing the amendment as a “great dam against progressivism” and a way to protect Slovakia’s “sovereignty in cultural and ethical matters.”
What the Law Introduces:
- Recognition of Only Two Sexes: The constitution will now legally define sex strictly as male or female, excluding any recognition of transgender, non-binary, or intersex identities.
- Adoption Restrictions: Only married heterosexual couples are now eligible to adopt children, effectively barring same-sex couples from adoption.
- Ban on Surrogacy: All forms of surrogate pregnancy are outlawed.
- Cultural Sovereignty Clause: The amendment asserts that Slovakia holds sovereignty over matters of national identity, culture, and ethics, even when those may come into conflict with European Union (EU) law.
Political Fallout and Division
The vote has exposed deep divisions in Slovakia’s political landscape. Opposition MPs who voted in favour of the amendment were branded “traitors” by colleagues, who argue the legislation was timed to distract from falling public support and controversial government decisions.
Despite the backlash, President Peter Pellegrini has indicated he will sign the amendment into law, suggesting it represents a rare moment of consensus in a politically fractured environment.
Human Rights Groups React
Global and regional human rights organisations have strongly condemned the law, calling it a setback for LGBTQ+ equality and reproductive freedom.
Critics warn the amendment will:
- Exacerbate the legal and social marginalisation of transgender and intersex people
- Limit access to legal gender recognition
- Institutionalise discrimination against LGBTQ+ families
- Potentially violate EU protections and international human rights treaties
Legal experts caution that Slovakia may now face legal challenges from European institutions, as the amendment could be interpreted as a breach of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
For many LGBTQ+ Slovaks, the change strikes at the heart of their identities and families, erasing legal recognition and limiting the right to form families through adoption or surrogacy.
