President Signs Constitutional Amendment, Says Majority Must Be Respected

Bratislava, 30 September (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini signed the amendment to the Slovak Constitution on Tuesday. He described its adoption by a constitutional majority as an important signal at a time of "huge division in society," noting that a consensus on this particular issue exists across the political spectrum and needs to be respected, the Presidential Office's communications department told TASR on the same day. As recalled by the Presidential Office, the amendment enshrines the existence of two genders – male and female. It also expands the constitutional regulation of social rights, specifically the status of the family and the enshrinement of parental rights, and will now include a ban on surrogacy. "The Constitution will also now guarantee equal pay for equal work between men and women," noted the Presidential Office. According to the Presidential Office, the amendment highlights Slovakia's sovereignty in fundamental cultural-ethical matters, including the "protection of life and human dignity, private and family life, marriage, parenthood and family, culture and language, as well as related areas such as health care, upbringing and education". The government's amendment to the Constitution was approved by the Parliament with 90 votes on Friday (26 September) and is set to take effect on 1 November. jrg