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The Constitution of the Slovak Republic from September 3, 1992 (including the Amendments from July 14th, 1998 and January 14th, 1999) |
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We, the Slovak People
Bearing in mind the political and cultural heritage of our predecessors, the experience gained through centuries of struggle for our national existence, and statehood,
Mindful of the spiritual bequest of Cyril and Methodius, and the historical legacy of Great Moravia,
Recognizing the natural right of nations to self-determination,
Together with members of national minorities and ethnic groups living in the Slovak Republic,
In the interest of continuous peaceful cooperation with other democratic countries,
Endeavoring to implement democratic forms of government, guarantee a life of freedom, and promote spiritual, cultural and economic prosperity,
we, the citizens of the Slovak Republic, have, herewith and by our representatives, adopted this Constitution:
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A r t i c l e..1
The Slovak Republic is a sovereign, democratic state governed by the rule of law. It is not bound by any ideology or religion.
A r t i c l e..2
(1) The power of the state is vested in the citizens
who shall exercise it directly or through their elected representatives.
(2) State bodies may act solely in conformity with the Constitution. Their actions
shall be subject to its limits, within its scope and governed by procedures
determined by law.
(3) Anyone may act in a way not forbidden by law and no one may be forced to
act in a way not prescribed by law.
(1) The territory of the Slovak Republic is integral
and indivisible.
(2) The border of the Slovak Republic may be changed only by a constitutional
statute.
Raw materials, underground water, natural and thermal springs and streams are the property of the Slovak Republic.
(1) Acquisition and loss of citizenship of the
Slovak Republic shall be regulated by law.
(2) No person shall be deprived of Slovak citizenship against his or her will.
(1) The Slovak language is the official language
of the Slovak Republic.
(2) The use of languages other than the official language in official communications
shall be determined by law.
The Slovak Republic may, by its own discretion, enter into a union with other states. The right of secession from such unions shall not be restricted. The decision to enter into union with other states or to secede therefrom shall be subject to a constitutional statute and subsequent ratification by means of a public referendum.
A r t i c l e..8
The state symbols of the Slovak Republic are the state emblem, the state flag, the state seal and the state anthem.
(1) The state emblem of the Slovak Republic consists
of an early Gothic shield with a silver double cross erected on the central
and highest of the three blue hills.
(2) The state flag of the Slovak Republic has three horizontal stripes: white,
blue and red. The state emblem of the Slovak Republic appears in the left half
of the flag.
(3) The state seal of the Slovak Republic consists of the state emblem encircled
by the inscription "Slovenska republika".
(4) The national anthem of the Slovak Republic is composed of the first two
stanzas of the hymn "Nad Tatrou sa blyska".
(5) Modifications and use of the state symbols shall be determined by law.
A r t i c l e..10
(1) The capital of the Slovak Republic is the
city of Bratislava.
(2) The status of Bratislava as the capital of the Slovak Republic shall be
defined by law.
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A r t i c l e..11
International instruments on human rights and freedoms ratified by the Slovak Republic and promulgated under statutory requirements shall take precedence over national laws provided that the international treaties and agreements guarantee greater constitutional rights and freedoms.
(1) All human beings are free and equal in dignity
and rights. Their fundamental rights and freedoms are inalienable, irrevocable,
and absolutely perpetual.
(2) Fundamental rights shall be guaranteed in the Slovak Republic to every person
regardless of sex, race, color, language, faith, religion, political affiliation
or conviction, national or social origin, nationality or ethnic origin, property,
birth or any other status, and no person shall be denied their legal rights,
discriminated against or favored on any of these grounds.
(3) Every person has the right to freely decide which national group he or she
is a member of. All manner of influence or coercion that may affect or lead
to a denial of a person's original nationality shall be prohibited.
(4) No person shall be prevented from exercising his or her fundamental rights
and freedoms.
(1) No obligations shall be imposed on individuals
unless such obligations are in accordance with the law and respect fundamental
rights and freedoms.
(2) Limitation of fundamental rights and freedoms shall be imposed only under
the conditions set forth in this Constitution.
(3) Restrictions of constitutional rights and freedoms shall be applied equally
and consistently in all similar cases.
(4) When imposing restrictions on constitutional rights and freedoms, respect
must be given to the essence and meaning of these rights and freedoms and such
restrictions shall be used only for specifically defined purposes.
A r t i c l e..14
Every person shall be entitled to his or her rights.
(1) Everyone has the right to life. Human life
is worthy of protection even before birth.
(2) No person may be deprived of life.
(3) The death penalty shall be inadmissible.
(4) No infringement of rights shall occur if a person has been deprived of life
as a result of an act not defined as unlawful.
(1) The right of every individual to integrity
and privacy shall be guaranteed. This right may be limited only in cases specifically
provided by law.
(2) No person shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
or punishment.
(1) Personal liberty of every individual shall
be guaranteed.
(2) No one shall be prosecuted or deprived of liberty unless for reasons and
by methods set by law. No person shall be deprived of liberty merely for his
or her inability to fulfill contractual obligations.
(3) A person charged with or suspected of an offence may be arrested only in
circumstances provided by law. Anyone who is arrested must be promptly informed
of the grounds thereof, and after interrogation within twenty-four hours, the
individual must be either released or brought before a court and heard by the
judge who shall determine whether the individual shall be kept in pre-trial
detention or released.
(4) A person charged with an offence may be arrested only on a written order
issued by a judge, and, within twenty-four hours, brought before and heard by
the judge, who shall decide whether to release or detain the person.
(5) Pre-trial detention can be imposed only on the grounds and for the period
provided by law and determined by the court.
(6) A person may be committed to or held in a medical institution without his
or her consent only in cases stipulated by law. Such cases shall be reported
to the court within twenty-four hours and the court shall make a decision on
such placement within five days.
(7) A psychological examination of the person charged with an offence is permissible
only on a written court order.
(1) No one may be subjected to forced labor or
services.
(2) Section (1) of this Article shall not apply to:
(1) Every person shall have the right to maintain
and protect his or her dignity, honor, reputation and good name.
(2) Everyone shall have the right to be free from unjustified interference in
his or her privacy and family life.
(3) Anyone has the right to be protected against unwarranted collection, disclosure,
and other misuse of personal information.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property. Property
rights of all owners shall be uniformly construed and equally protected by law.
The right of inheritance is guaranteed.
(2) For the purposes of safeguarding the needs of the society, the interests
of the general public, and the advancement of the national economy, the law
shall establish certain property (including that defined in Article 4) as the
exclusive property of the State, the municipality or specific corporate bodies.
In addition, the law can specify which property may be owned only by individual
citizens or corporations residing in the Slovak Republic.
(3) Ownership limits. Property may not be misused to cause injury to another
person or in contradiction to the public interests protected by law. The exercise
of property rights must not be detrimental to the health of other people, wild
life, cultural sites or the environment beyond the standards fixed by law.
(4) Expropriation or restrictions on property rights shall be imposed only to
the extent legally justified for the protection of the public interest and shall
be justly compensated.
(1) The sanctity of the home shall be inviolable.
Entrance without permission of the person residing therein is unlawful.
(2) A search shall be justified only in circumstances connected with criminal
proceedings and warranted by a written order issued by a judge. The methods
of such a search shall be specified by law.
(3) Other infringements upon the inviolability of the home shall be legally
justified only in circumstances where, in a democratic society, it is necessary
to protect life, health, property, civil rights and freedoms or to avert a serious
threat to public order. In cases where the home is used for business and other
enterprising activities, such infringement may be legally justified for the
purposes of public administration.
(1) Secrecy of letters, other communications
and written messages delivered by post and personal information shall be guaranteed.
(2) No one shall violate the secrecy of letters, other communications and written
messages kept private or delivered by post or otherwise, except in cases specified
by law. This provision applies to communications delivered by telephone, telegraph
and other similar means.
(1) Freedom of movement and residence shall be
guaranteed.
(2) Everyone residing legally in the Slovak Republic has the right to leave
the country.
(3) Freedoms defined in sections (1) and (2) of this Article may be limited
by law only if such limits are necessary in order to protect national security,
public order, the health, rights and freedoms of other people, or in order to
protect the environment in designated areas.
(4) Every citizen is free to enter the Slovak Republic. No citizen may be forced
to emigrate or be expelled from his or her native country or be extradited to
a foreign country.
(5) Aliens may be expelled only in cases provided by law.
(1) Freedom of thought, conscience, religion
and faith shall be guaranteed. This right shall include the right to change
religion or faith and the right to refrain from a religious affiliation. Every
person shall be entitled to express his or her opinion publicly.
(2) Every person shall have the right to express freely his or her own religious
conviction or faith alone or in association with others, privately or publicly,
by worship, religious services or ceremonies and participation in religious
instruction.
(3) Churches and ecclesiastical communities shall administer their own affairs.
All ecclesiastic authorities and appointments, religious instruction, establishment
of religious orders and other religious institutions shall be separate from
the State authorities.
(4) The rights under sections (1) to (3) of this Article can be legally restricted
only as a measure taken in a democratic society for the protection of the public
order, health, morality, and rights and freedoms of other people.
(1) The defence of the Slovak Republic is the
honorable privilege and duty of every citizen.
(2) No person may be forced to perform military duties if it is contrary to
his or her conscience or religious faith or conviction. Further details shall
be specified by law.
A r t i c l e..26
(1) Freedom of expression and the right to information
shall be guaranteed.
(2) Every person has the right to express his or her opinion in words, writing,
print, images and any other means, and also to seek, receive and disseminate
ideas and information both nationally and internationally. No approval process
shall be required for publication of the press. Radio and television companies
may be required to seek permission from governmental authorities to set up private
businesses. Further details shall be provided by law.
(3) Censorship shall be prohibited.
(4) Freedom of expression and the right to receive and disseminate information
may be lawfully limited only where, in a democratic society, it is necessary
to protect rights and freedoms of others, state security, law and order, health
and morality.
(5) Governmental authorities and public administration shall be obligated to
provide reasonable access to the information in the official language of their
work and activities. The terms and procedures of the execution thereof shall
be specified by law.
(1) The right to petition shall be guaranteed.
Every person shall have the right to address governmental authorities and public
administration in individual and public matters with petitions, proposals, and
complaints either individually or in association with other persons.
(2) No petition may involve the infringement of fundamental rights and freedoms.
(3) No petition may interfere with the independence of the judiciary.
(1) The right to peaceful assembly shall be guaranteed.
(2) The conditions under which this right may be exercised shall be provided
by law in cases of meetings held in public places where, in a democratic society,
it is necessary to protect rights and freedoms of other persons, public order,
health and morality, property or state security. No approval by public administration
shall be required for such meetings.
(1) The right of free association shall be guaranteed.
Everyone has the right to associate freely with other persons in unions, societies
and other associations.
(2) Citizens may form political parties and political movements and associate
therein.
(3) The exercise of rights in sections (1) and (2) of this Article may be limited
only in cases justified by law where, in a democratic society, it is necessary
to protect national security and public order, prevent crime and protect rights
and freedoms of other persons.
(4) Political parties and political movements, as well as unions, societies
or associations shall be separate from the State.
(1) Citizens shall have the right to participate
in the administration of public affairs directly or by freely elected representatives.
(2) Elections shall be held within periods of time not exceeding the terms fixed
by law.
(3) The right to vote shall be exercised through equal, universal and direct
suffrage by secret ballot. The terms thereof shall be specified by law.
(4) All citizens shall have equal access to elected or public offices.
The regulation of political rights and freedoms, and the interpretation and usage thereof shall facilitate and protect political competition in a democratic society.
If the activities of constitutional authorities or the application of legal rules have become ineffective, every citizen shall have the right to resist anyone who would abolish the democratic functioning of human rights and fundamental freedoms set forth in this Constitution.
A r t i c l e..33
Membership in any national minority or ethnic group may not be used to the detriment of any individual.
(1) Citizens of national minorities or ethnic
groups in the Slovak Republic shall be guaranteed their full development, particularly
the rights to promote their cultural heritage with other citizens of the same
national minority or ethic group, receive and disseminate information in their
mother tongues, form associations, and create and maintain educational and cultural
institutions. Details thereof shall be fixed by law.
(2) In addition to the right to learn the official language, the citizens of
national minorities or ethnic groups shall, under provisions fixed by law, also
be guaranteed:
A r t i c l e..35
(1) Every person shall have the right to choose
freely his or her profession and to receive appropriate training, as well as
the right to earn his or her living through entrepreneurial activities.
(2) Terms of, or restrictions on, specific professions, trades or activities
may be regulated by law.
(3) Citizens shall have the right to work. The State shall guarantee, within
reasonable limits, the material welfare of those who cannot enjoy this right
through no fault of their own. The terms thereof shall be specified by law.
(4) The rights of aliens provided in sections (1) to (3) of this Article, as
concerns aliens, may be governed under a separate law.
All employees shall have the right to fair and satisfactory conditions at work. The law shall provide in particular for:
(1) Every person shall have the right to associate
freely with other persons to protect their economic and social interests.
(2) Trade unions shall be independent of the State. There shall be no restrictions
on the number of trade unions, and no encouragement of specific unions in certain
companies or industries.
(3) The activities of trade unions and other associations formed to protect
economic and social interests may be limited by law only where, in a democratic
society, such measures may be necessary for the protection of the national security,
public order, and rights and freedoms of other persons.
(4) The right to strike shall be guaranteed. The terms thereof shall be provided
by law. Judges, prosecutors, members of the armed forces, and members of fire
squads shall be disqualified from the exercise of this right.
(1) Women, minors, and disabled persons shall
enjoy more extensive health protection and special working conditions.
(2) Minors and disabled persons shall enjoy special protection in employment
relations and special assistance in training.
(3) Further details of the rights defined in sections (1 ) and (2) of this Article
shall be specified by law.
(1) Citizens shall be entitled to adequate material
security in their old age, as well as in cases of disability, and death of the
family's principal provider.
(2) Any person suffering material hardship, shall have the right to such assistance
as may be necessary to secure his or her fundamental standard of life.
(3) Further details of rights defined in sections (1) and (2) of this Article
shall be provided by law.
Every person shall have the right to protect his or her health. Through medical insurance, the citizens shall have the right to free health care and medical equipment for disabilities under the terms to be provided by law.
(1) Matrimony, parentage, and family shall be
protected by law. Special protection shall be enjoyed by children and young
persons.
(2) Pregnant women shall be entitled to special treatment, terms of employment,
and working conditions.
(3) Equal rights shall be guaranteed to both children born of legitimate matrimony
and those born out of lawful wedlock.
(4) Child care and upbringing shall be the right of parents; children shall
have the right to parental care and upbringing. The rights of parents may be
limited and minor children may be separated from parents against the parents'
will only by a court order as provided by law.
(5) Parents taking care of their children shall have the right to assistance
provided by the State.
(6) Further details of the rights defined in sections (1) to (5) of this Article
shall be set by law.
(1) Every person shall have the right to education.
School attendance is compulsory. Length of attendance shall be fixed by law.
(2) Citizens shall have the right to free education in elementary and secondary
schools, and, depending on the abilities of the individual and the potential
of the society, also in institutions of higher education.
(3) The establishment of, and instruction in, schools other than state (public)
schools shall be possible only under the terms provided by law; such schools
may collect tuition fees.
(4) Eligibility for financial assistance for students from public funds shall
be provided by law.
(1) Freedom of scientific research and freedom
of artistic expression shall be guaranteed. Intellectual property rights shall
be protected by law.
(2) The right of access to cultural heritage shall be guaranteed under the terms
fixed by law.
A r t i c l e..44
(1) Every person shall have the right to favorable
environment.
(2) Every person shall have a duty to protect and improve the environment and
foster cultural heritage.
(3) No person shall imperil or damage the environment, natural wealth and cultural
heritage beyond the limits set by law.
(4) The State shall be responsible for the economical use of natural resources,
an ecological balance and an effective environmental policy.
Every person shall have the right to full and timely information on the environmental situation, and reasons and consequences thereof.
A r t i c l e..46
(1) Every person may claim his or her right by
procedures established by law at an independent and impartial court of law or
other public authority of the Slovak Republic in cases specified by law.
(2) Any person who claims to have been denied his or her rights through a decision
made by a public authority may turn to a court of law to have the legality of
the decision reviewed, unless otherwise provided by law. The review of decisions
in matters of fundamental rights and freedoms shall not be excluded from the
jurisdiction of courts of law.
(3) Every person shall have the right to recover damages for a loss caused by
an unlawful decision of the court, a governmental or public authority or by
improper official procedure.
(4) Details and terms of the judicial and other legal protection shall be regulated
by law.
(1) Every person shall have the right to refuse
to give testimony which might incriminate that person or another person close
to him or her.
(2) Every person shall have the right to counsel from the outset of proceedings
before any court of law, or a governmental or public authority as provided by
law.
(3) All parties to any proceedings under section (2) of this Article shall be
treated equally under the law.
(4) A person who claims not to know the language used in the proceedings under
section (2) of this Article shall have the right to an interpreter.
(1) No one may be taken out of the competence
of his or her judge. The jurisdiction of courts shall be defined by law.
(2) Every person has the right to have his or her case tried publicly without
unreasonable delay, to be present at the proceedings, and to object to any evidence
given therein. The public can be excluded only in cases specified by law.
The law shall define all offenses, the punishment or the measure restricting personal or property rights to be imposed on the offender in particular cases.
(1) The courts of law alone shall decide the
guilt of, and punishment for, the offender.
(2) Any person charged with an offense shall be presumed innocent until proven
guilty as finally adjudged by the court.
(3) Any person charged with an offense shall have the possibility to prepare
his or her defense during such time as may be deemed necessary and shall have
the right to defend the case by himself or herself and by a counsel.
(4) Any person charged with an offense shall have the right to refuse to give
testimony. This right may not be denied to that person under any circumstances.
(5) When finally convicted or acquitted of an offense, no person may be prosecuted
for that same offense again. This principle does not preclude an exceptional
remedy provided by law.
(6) Any criminal conduct shall be determined by, and punished under, the law
effective at the time of the act. The law passed after the commission of the
offense shall apply only if the law is more beneficial to the offender.
A r t i c l e..51
The rights defined in articles 35, 36, 37 section (4), 38 to 42 and 44 to 46 of this Constitution may be claimed only within the limits of the law providing for the exercise thereof.
(1) Whenever the term "citizen" is used in Part
One and Part Two of this Constitution, it means a citizen of the Slovak Republic.
(2) Unless expressly designated only for the citizens of the Slovak Republic,
aliens shall enjoy the same fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed by this
Constitution.
(3) Whenever the term "citizen" is used in any previous rules, it means any
person provided the rights and freedoms are guaranteed by this Constitution,
irrespective of the, citizenship.
The Slovak Republic shall grant asylum to aliens persecuted for the exercise of political rights and freedoms. Such asylum may be denied to those who have acted to violate the fundamental human rights and freedoms. Details shall be provided by law.
Judges and prosecutors may be denied the right of free enterprise and other business activities and the right defined in Article 29, section (2), civil servants holding offices specified by law may also be denied the right defined in Article 37 section (4), members of the armed forces may also be denied the rights defined in Articles 27 and 28 in cases where these rights interfere with the exercise of their duties. The right to strike may be denied to those working in professions immediately involved in the protection of life and health.
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A r t i c l e..55
(1) The economy in the Slovak Republic shall
be based on the principles of a socially and ecologically oriented market economy.
(2) The Slovak Republic shall protect and encourage competition. Details shall
be provided by law.
The Slovak Republic shall establish a central Bank charged with the issue of currency. Details shall be regulated by law.
The Slovak Republic is a customs bonded territory.
(1) The fiscal matters of the Slovak Republic
shall be managed through the national budget. The national budget shall be adopted
by an enactment.
(2) Budgetary revenues, procedures of budgetary management and the relationships
between the national and local budgets shall be regulated by law.
(3) Specialized state funds linked with the national budget can be established
by law.
(1) Taxes and duties shall be collected on the
national and local levels.
(2) Taxes and duties can be levied by and under the law.
A r t i c l e..60
The Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic shall be an independent agency supervising the auditing of, and control over, budgetary funds, public property, public property rights, and public debts.
(1) The Supreme Audit Office shall be headed
by the Chairman. The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen shall be elected and recalled
by the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
(2) Any citizen qualified to be elected to the National Council of the Slovak
Republic may be elected to the office of Chairman of the Supreme Audit Office.
(3) The same person may be elected to the office of Chairman of the Supreme
Audit Office for no more than two consecutive five-year terms.
(4) The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Supreme Audit Office shall not be
eligible for any position in the central or local governments or on boards of
business corporations.
The Supreme Audit Office shall submit annual reports of its work to the National Council of the Slovak Republic at least once a year or at any time when requested to do so by the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
The authority, powers and structure of the Supreme Audit Office shall be regulated by law.
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(1) The basic unit of local administration shall
be the municipality.
(2) The municipality is an independent territorial and administrative unit of
the Slovak Republic extending to all persons permanently residing therein.
(3) Self-governing subdivisions at higher levels shall be defined by law.
(1) The municipality is a corporate body responsible
for the property and financial resources thereof as fixed by law.
(2) The municipality shall finance its needs primarily by its own funds and
also by national subsidies. Taxes and duties to be raised by the municipality
shall be determined by law. The municipalities can claim entitlement to subsidies
only within the limits set by law.
The municipality shall have the right to form associations with other communities in matters of common interest.
Matters regarding local self-government shall be decided by municipalities, and any restrictions thereof may be imposed only by law. Local self-government shall be carried out by local assemblies, local referendum or through municipal authorities.
The municipalities shall pass ordinances, generally binding decisions in matters of local government.
(1) Municipal authorities include:
The municipality can acquire the status of a town or a city under the procedures and terms prescribed by law which also determine the structure of municipal authorities.
(1) The municipality may be delegated by law
to exercise the powers of state administration. All expenses relating to such
delegation of state administration shall be borne by the state.
(2) When exercising the powers of state administration, the municipality may,
within its territorial jurisdiction, pass generally binding ordinances, as delegated
by law. The exercise of state administration delegated to local communities
shall be controlled and supervised by the Government. Further details shall
be provided by law.
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Chapter One - The National Council of the Slovak Republic
A r t i c l e..72
(1) The National Council of the Slovak Republic
shall consist of 150 members elected for a four-year term.
(2) The members shall be the representatives of the citizens, and shall be elected
to exercise their mandates individually and according to their best conscience
and conviction. They are bound by no directives.
(1) The members are elected by universal, equal
an direct suffrage by secret ballot.
(2) Any citizen who has the right to vote, has attained 21 years of age and
has permanent residency in the Slovak Republic is eligible to be elected to
the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
(3) Details relating to the election of the representatives shall be fixed by
law.
(1) A representative elected to the National
Council of the Slovak Republic for the first time shall take the following vow:
"I do solemnly pledge allegiance to the Slovak Republic to the best of my ability
to exercise dutifully my obligations in the interests of all citizens. I will
abide by the Constitution and all other laws and I will make every effort to
implement them in everyday life."
(2) Any refusal to take the pledge or any reservation thereof shall result in
the loss of the mandate.
The legitimacy of the elected representatives shall be confirmed by the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
(1) The mandate shall disqualify the representative
from the offices of the President, the judge, public prosecutor, member of the
police forces, member of prison or judicial guards, and career military officer.
(2) The mandate of a representative who has been appointed a member of the Government,
though not fulfilled, shall not expire.
(1) No member shall be prosecuted either during
the term of office or at any other time for his or her vote in the National
Council of the Slovak Republic or its committees. The members are subject to
disciplinary powers of the National Council of the Slovak Republic for any statement
made in the National Council of the Slovak Republic or its committees while
holding mandates.
(2) No member shall be prosecuted, sanctioned by any disciplinary measure or
held in pre-trial detention without the approval of the National Council of
the Slovak Republic. Unless such approval is granted by the National Council
of the Slovak Republic, the prosecution or the disciplinary measure shall be
excluded.
(3) If a member has been arrested or detained while committing an offence, the
appropriate agency shall be obliged to notify without delay the Speaker of the
National Council of the Slovak Republic. Unless the arrest is approved by the
Mandate and Immunity Committee, the member must be immediately released.
A member may refuse to give testimony in matters of which he or she has been informed while he or she is in office or after the expiration of his or her mandate.
(1) A member may interpellate the Government
of the Slovak Republic, any member of the Government or any principal governmental
official in matters within their official powers. Any interpellation must be
answered within thirty days.
(2) The response to interpellation shall have the form of a debate in the National
Council of the Slovak Republic which may be followed by a vote of confidence.
(1) Any representative may resign from his or
her seat.
(2) The mandate of a representative lawfully sentenced for a serious malicious
offense shall expire.
(1) The National Council of the Slovak Republic
shall be continually in session.
(2) The opening session of the National Council shall be convened by the President
of the Slovak Republic not later than thirty days following the announcement
of the election results. Otherwise, the National Council of the Slovak Republic
shall meet on the thirtieth day after the announcement of the election results.
(3) The National Council may resolve to adjourn its session. The time of adjournment
or recess may not exceed four months within a period of one year. The Speaker,
the Deputy-Speaker and the Committees of the National Council shall continue
to carry out their duties even during a recess.
(4) During a recess or adjournment, a session can be convened by the Speaker
of the National Council before the designated date. He can do so upon a request
submitted by the Government or one fifth of the members.
(5) A session of the National Council of the Slovak Republic shall end as a
result of lapse of time or dissolution.
(1) The sessions of the National Council of the
Slovak Republic shall be convened by the Speaker of the National Council of
the Slovak Republic.
(2) The Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic shall convene
a session also when so requested by no less than one fifth of the members. In
this case the session shall be convened within seven days.
(3) Sessions of the National Council of the Slovak Republic are open to the
public.
(4) Closed sessions may be held only in cases defined by law or when three fifths
of all members have so resolved.
(1) A quorum of the National Council of the Slovak
Republic shall consist of the majority of all members.
(2) For an effective resolution, the consent of the majority of members present
shall be required unless this Constitution stipulates otherwise.
(3) For the purposes of adopting or amending the Constitution, adopting constitutional
statutes, adopting a decision about referendum on recalling the President of
the Slovak Republic, for impeachment of the President and declaring war on other
state, the consent of a three-fifths majority of all members shall be required.
Any member of the Government of the Slovak Republic, or any principal official of any other body of governmental administration shall be obliged to participate in a session of the National Council of the Slovak Republic or in a meeting of a body thereof, when requested to do so by the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
The powers of the National Council of the Slovak Republic shall be mainly to:
(1) Bills may be introduced by the Committees
of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, members of the National Council
and the Government of the Slovak Republic.
(2) Laws passed by the National Council of the Slovak Republic shall be signed
by the Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, the President
of the Slovak Republic and the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic.
(3) If the President of the Slovak Republic returns a bill with comments, the
National Council of the Slovak Republic shall reconsider the bill and when it
is passed , such a law shall be promulgated.
(4) For adoption of a bill returned by the President of the Slovak Republic
under Art. 102 letter n) a consent of absolute majority of all members shall
be required.
(5) Any law shall enter into effect after promulgation. Details shall be defined
by law.
(1) A vote of no-confidence in the Government
of the Slovak Republic or a member thereof may be submitted to, and considered
by, the National Council of the Slovak Republic provided one fifth of the members
so require.
(2) A no-confidence vote in the Government of the Slovak Republic or a member
thereof shall be passed provided an absolute majority of all members concur.
(1) The Speaker of the National Council of the
Slovak Republic shall be elected or recalled by secret ballot with the consent
of an absolute majority of all members. The President shall be responsible exclusively
to the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
(2) The Speaker of the National Council of the Slovak Republic shall:
(1) The Speaker of the National Council of the
Slovak Republic may be substituted by the Deputy-Speakers. The Deputy-Speakers
are elected or replaced by the National Council of the Slovak Republic with
the consent of an absolute majority of all members voting by secret ballot.
The Deputy-Speakers shall be responsible to the National Council of the Slovak
Republic.
(2) The provisions of Article 89, section (3) shall apply also to the Deputy-Speakers
of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
The work of the National Council of the Slovak Republic shall be under the direction of the Speaker and the Deputy-Speakers.
(1) The National Council of the Slovak Republic
shall establish Committees composed of its own members for purposes of the introduction
of legislation and supervision with chairmen elected by secret ballot.
(2) The procedures governing the debates and deliberations in the National Council
of the Slovak Republic and its Committees shall be fixed by law.
A r t i c l e..93
(1) A constitutional statute on the formation
of a union with other states or a secession therefrom shall be confirmed by
a public referendum.
(2) A referendum may also be used to decide on other crucial issues in the public
interest. (3) No issues of fundamental rights, freedoms, taxes, duties or national
budgetary matters may be decided by a public referendum.
Every citizen qualified to elect the members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic shall have the right to vote in a referendum.
A referendum shall be announced by the President of the Slovak Republic upon a petition submitted by no less than 350,000 citizens, or upon a resolution of the National Council of the Slovak Republic not later than thirty days after the petition or the resolution have been submitted by the citizens or by the National Council of the Slovak Republic, as the case may be.
(1) The proposals for the adoption of a resolution
by the National Council of the Slovak Republic on the holding of a referendum
may be submitted by members of the National Council or the Government of the
Slovak Republic.
(2) A referendum shall be held not later than ninety days after it has been
announced by the President of the Slovak Republic.
(1) No referendum shall be held less than ninety
days before the date of the election of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
(2) A referendum may be held on the date of the election of the National Council
of the Slovak Republic.
(1) The results of the referendum shall be valid
provided an absolute majority of eligible voters have participated and the issue
has been decided by an absolute majority of votes.
(2) The proposals adopted by a referendum shall be promulgated by the National
Council of the Slovak Republic and shall become law.
(1) The results of a referendum may be derogated
or abrogated by a constitutional statute passed by the National Council of the
Slovak Republic once a period of three years has passed since the date the outcome
took effect.
(2) The referendum can be repeated no sooner than three years after the previous
referendum held on the same issue.
The procedures for holding a referendum shall be defined by law.
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A r t i c l e..101
(1) The Head of the Slovak Republic shall be the President. The President shall
represent the Slovak Republic in external and internal relations and with his/her
decisions ensures the normal functioning of the constitutional authorities.
The President performs his office according to his/her best conscience and conviction.
He is bound by no directives.
(2) The President shall be elected by the citizens of the Slovak Republic in
direct elections by secret ballot for a five-year term. The right to elect the
President have the citizens who are eligible to vote in election to the National
Council of the Slovak Republic.
(3) The candidates for Presidency are nominated by a group of 15 Members of
the National Council of the Slovak Republic or by the citizens who are eligible
to vote for National Council of the Slovak Republic based on a petition signed
by at least 15 000 citizens. The nominations are submitted to the President
of the National Council of the Slovak Republic not later than 21 days after
the elections have been announced.
(4) The president shall be the candidate who gets the absolute majority of all
valid votes provided by eligible voters. If none of the candidates succeeds
to get the required majority of votes by voters, a second ballot takes place
within 14 days. Those two candidates progress to the second ballot who got the
highest number of the valid votes. In the second ballot shall be elected to
be a President that candidate who obtained the highest number of all valid votes
of the participating voters.
(5) If one of the candidates obtaining in the first ballot the most valid votes
is not eligible any more to be a President before the second ballot or he gives
up his right to run for presidency, that candidate progresses to the second
ballot who gets the next highest number of the votes in the first ballot. If
there are not two candidates in the second ballot, it will be cancelled and
the President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic shall announce
new elections within seven days in a way that they could take place within 60
days after having been promulgated.
(6) If there is just one candidate running for presidency, the election will
take place in a way that a vote will be taken on him; he shall be elected President
if he gets the absolute majority of the valid votes from participating voters.
(7) The elected candidate takes up his office of a President taking the vow.
The President shall be sworn before the National Council by the President of
the Constitutional Court at noon when the former President' s term of office
ceases.
(8) If the President's term of office terminated earlier, the elected candidate
takes the vow and takes up his office of the President at noon the following
day after the announcement of the election results.
(9) The Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic decides on the constitutionality
or lawfulness of the elections.
(10) The details for presidential elections shall be defined by law.
(1) The President
(2) Decision of the President issued under Art. 102 letter b) and i) if it concerns granting amnesty shall be valid under letter j) if it is signed by the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic or the appropriate/competent minister. In these cases the Government of the Slovak Republic shall be responsible for the Presidentīs decision.
(1) Any citizen of the Slovak Republic eligible
to be elected to the member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic who
has attained forty years of age on the day of the election , may be elected
President of the Slovak Republic.
(2) No one may be elected President for more than two consecutive terms.
(3) The election of the President shall be held during the last sixty days of
the term of the acting President. In the event of a vacancy of the President's
office before the expiration of the official term, the President of the National
Council of the Slovak Republic shall announce presidential elections within
seven days in order that the first ballot would be held within 60 days after
they have been promulgated.
(4) In cases where the President-elect is a member of the National Council of
the Slovak Republic, a member of the Government of the Slovak Republic, a judge,
a public prosecutor, a member of the armed forces or the armed corps, or a member
of the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic, he must resign from his
previous office on the day of his election.
(5) The President shall hold no other paid position in any profession, business
or on any executive board of a corporation.
(6) The President may resign from his office at any time; his term of office
ceases on the day of handing over to the President of the Constitutional Court
of the Slovak Republic a written announcement of this decision.
(7) The President of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic shall announce
the President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic in writing the
President' s resignation from his office.
(1) The President shall be sworn before the National
Council by the President of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic
as follows:
"I do solemnly pledge allegiance to the Slovak Republic. I will protect the
welfare of the Slovak people, and members of national minorities and ethnic
groups living in the Slovak Republic. I will perform my duties in the best interests
of all citizens, and abide by and defend the Constitution and other laws."
(2) A refusal to take the vow or expression of reservations thereto shall annul
the presidential election.
(1) In a case where the President has not been
elected, or at the time of a vacancy before the election of the new President,
or after the new President has been elected but before he has been sworn in,
or he has been unable to perform his official duties, the powers of the President
shall be delegated to the Government of the Slovak Republic except for those
defined in Article 102 paragraph 1, subsections d) to g). In these cases the
Government may vest some of the powers of the President in the Prime Minister.
During such time the Prime Minister shall act as Commander-in-Chief of the armed
forces. The powers of the President shall be delegated to the Chairman of the
National Council of the Slovak Republic under Art. 102 paragraph 1 letter e),
f) and g).
(2) In the event that the President has been unable to perform the duties of
his office for more than six months, the Constitutional Court of the Slovak
Republic shall proclaim the office of the President vacant. On the day of this
promulgation, the acting Presidentīs term of office ceases.
(1) The President may be recalled before the termination of his/her term of
office by a referendum. A referendum on recalling the President shall be announced
by the
President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic based on the resolution
of the National Council of the Slovak Republic adopted by not less than a three-fifths
majority of all members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic. He must
do so within thirty days from adopting the resolution in order that the referendum
would take place within 60 days after having been promulgated.
(2) The President shall be recalled if in the referendum an absolute majority
of all eligible voters voted for his recall.
(3) If the President has not been recalled in a referendum, he should dissolve
the National Council of the Slovak Republic within 30 days after the results
of the referendum have been announced. In this case a new President's term of
office starts to run. The President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic
shall announce elections to the National Council of the Slovak Republic within
7 days after it has been dissolved.
(4) The procedure required for the recall of the President shall be specified
by law.
President may be arraigned/prosecuted only for deliberate violation of the Constitution or for high treason . About filing impeachment decides the National Council of the Slovak Republic by consent of a three-fifths majority of all members. The impeachment shall be filed by the National Council of the Slovak Republic that decides on it in a plenary session.". Condemning /convicting decision of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic results the loss of the presidential office and the illegibility to regain this office.
A r t i c l e..108
The Government of the Slovak Republic shall be the supreme executive body.
(1) The Government shall consist of the Prime
Minister, Deputy-Prime Ministers and Ministers.
(2) A member of the Government shall not be allowed to hold legislative or judicial
office.
(3) A member of Government shall hold no other paid position in a profession,
business or on the executive board of a corporation.
(1) The Prime Minister shall be appointed and
removed by the President of the Slovak Republic.
(2) Any citizen of the Slovak Republic eligible for election to the Slovak National
Council may be appointed the Prime Minister.
On the advice of the Prime Minister, the President of the Slovak Republic shall appoint and recall other members of the Government by granting commissions to carry out departmental duties. The President can appoint the Vice-President or a Minister from among the citizens eligible to be elected to the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
The members of the Government shall be sworn
in by the President by taking the following vow:
"I do solemnly pledge allegiance to the Slovak Republic. I will perform my
duties in the best interests of the citizens. I will abide by the Constitution
and all laws and will do my best to provide for their implementation."
The Government shall be obliged, within thirty days of its formation, to present itself to all members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic and to submit to them its Government Program and thus initiate a vote of confidence.
(1) The Government shall be collectively responsible
for the exercise of governmental powers to the National Council of the Slovak
Republic which may take a vote of confidence at any time.
(2) The Government may, at any time, invite the National Council of the Slovak
Republic to hold a vote of confidence.
(3) The Government may initiate voting on a bill concerning any matter concurrently
with a vote of confidence.
(1) In the event that the National Council has
passed a vote of no-confidence or overruled a motion for a vote of confidence,
the President shall dismiss the Government.
(2) In the case where the President has accepted resignation of the Government,
he shall delegate all powers continuously to be exercised by the former Government
until a new Government s been appointed.
(1) Members of the Government shall be individually
accountable to the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
(2) Any member of the Government may submit his or her resignation to the President
of the Slovak Republic.
(3) The National Council of the Slovak Republic may also pass a vote of no-confidence
in an individual member of the Government; in such case the member shall be
dismissed.
(4) A motion for the dismissal of a member of the Government may be presented
also by the Prime Minister.
(5) In the event of the Prime Minister's resignation, the whole Government shall
resign.
(6) In a case where the National Council of the Slovak Republic has passed a
vote of no-confidence in an individual member of the Government, the member
shall be dismissed by the President of the Slovak Republic. The dismissal of
the Prime Minister shall result in the resignation of the Government.
(7) In a case where the President has accepted the resignation of a member of
the Government, or if he has dismissed a member of the Government, he shall
designate another member to be temporarily responsible for fulfilling the duties
of the resigning member.
The incumbent Government shall submit its resignation after the opening session of the newly elected National Council of the Slovak Republic; the former Government shall, however, remain in office until the new Government is formed.
(1) The quorum of the Government shall consist
of the majority of the members present.
(2) Adoption of a resolution by the Government shall require the consent of
an absolute majority of all members of the Government.
The Government shall decide collectively on:
(1) The Government shall have the power to pass
regulations for the implementation of laws within limits defined by law.
(2) Government decrees shall be signed by the Prime Minister.
(3) Decrees shall be promulgated by the procedures specified by law.
The Government shall have the power to grant pardons in matters of administrative infrigements.
The Central and local government bodies shall be established by law.
Ministries and other governmental bodies shall, by and under the law and within its limits, pass generally binding regulations provided they are empowered to do so by law. These generally binding rules shall be promulgated in a manner specified by law.
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Chapter One - The Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic
A r t i c l e..124
The Constitutional Court shall be an independent judicial authority vested with the mandate to protect the integrity of constitutional principles.
The Constitutional Court shall have jurisdiction over constitutional conflicts between:
The Constitutional Court shall decide disputes over powers distributed among central government authorities, unless these disputes are to be decided by another governmental authority as provided by law.
The Constitutional Court shall review the challenges to final decisions made by central government authorities, local government authorities and local self-governing bodies in cases concerning violations of fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, unless the protection of such rights falls under the jurisdiction of another court.
(1) The Constitutional Court shall be responsible
for the interpretation of constitutional statutes in conflicting cases. The
terms shall be provided by law.
(2) The Constitutional Court shall not comment as to whether proposed legislation
is consistent with the Constitution and constitutional statutes.
(1) The Constitutional Court shall review challenges
to decisions that confirm or reject the seat of a member of the National Council
of the Slovak Republic.
(2) The Constitutional Court shall decide on the constitutionality and lawfulness
of the elections and on recalling the President of the Slovak Republic. It shall
decide whether the elections to the National Council of the Slovak Republic
and to local self-governing bodies have been held in conformity with the Constitution
and the law.
(3) The Constitutional Court shall review challenges to the results of a public
referendum and complaints against results of a referendum on recalling the President
of the Slovak Republic .
(4) The Constitutional Court shall decide whether a decision dissolving a political
party/movement or suspending political activities thereof is consistent with
the constitutional statutes and other laws.
(5) The Constitutional Court shall decide cases of deliberate violation of the
Constitution and treason allegedly committed by the President of the Slovak
Republic upon an accusation by the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
(1) The Constitutional Court shall commence the proceedings upon a petition submitted by:
All members of the Constitutional Court shall decide in cases set forth in Articles,105 subsections 2, Article 107, Article 125 letters a) and b), Article 129 sections (2) up to (5), Article 138 sections 2 and 3 and matters regarding its internal procedures.
(1) In cases where the Constitutional Court finds
any contradictions in statutory rules as defined by Article 125, these rules,
parts or clauses thereof shall become ineffective. The authorities that passed
these rules shall be obliged to bring them to conformity with the Constitution
and constitutional statutes not later than six months following the finding
of the Constitutional Court; or in the case of rules defined by Article 125
subsection b) also with other laws; or in cases of rules defined by Article
125 subsection c) also with other laws, international instruments, regulations
passed by the Government of the Slovak Republic, and with the generally binding
rules issued by Ministries and other central government authorities. Otherwise
these rules, parts or clauses thereof shall become ineffective after six months
following the decision of the Constitutional Court.
(2) The decisions of the Constitutional Court made under section (1) shall be
promulgated as defined by law.
There shall be no appeal against a decision of the Constitutional Court.
(1) The Constitutional Court shall be composed
of ten judges.
(2) The judges of the Constitutional Court shall be appointed by the President
of the Slovak Republic for a seven-year term from among the twenty nominees
approved by the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
(3) A judge of the Constitutional Court must be a citizen of the Slovak Republic,
eligible to be elected to the National Council of the Slovak Republic, not younger
than forty years, and a law-school graduate with fifteen years of experience
in the legal profession.
(4) A judge of the Constitutional Court shall be sworn in by the President of
the Slovak Republic as follows:
"I do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully protect the inviolable natural
human and civil rights, the rule of law, abide by the Constitution and constitutional
statutes and decide cases independently and impartially to the best of my abilities
and conscience."
(5) Upon taking this pledge, the judge shall assume the duties of judicial office
on the Constitutional Court.
The Constitutional Court shall be headed by a President who may be substituted by a Vice President. The President and the Vice President shall be appointed by the President of the Slovak Republic from among the judges of the Constitutional Court.
(1) The judges of the Constitutional Court shall
enjoy the same immunity as members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
(2) The judges of the Constitutional Court may be prosecuted and held in pre-trial
detention only with the consent of the Constitutional Court.
(3) The Constitutional Court shall decide upon the legitimacy of the prosecution
and pre-trial detention of the President of the Supreme Court and Vice Presidents
of the Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic.
(1) A judge appointed to the Constitutional Court
shall resign from membership in a political party or movement prior to his or
her solemn vow.
(2) The judges of the Constitutional Court shall hold their offices as a profession.
The performance of this profession shall be incompatible with:
(1) Any judge of the Constitutional Court may
resign from his or her office.
(2) The President of the Slovak Republic can remove a judge of the Constitutional
Court upon a conviction by a court of law for a malicious offense or upon a
disciplinary decision made by the Constitutional Court for misconduct, or for
a conduct incompatible with the exercise of the office of a judge of the Constitutional
Court.
(3) The President of the Slovak Republic shall remove a judge of the Constitutional
Court from office if it is determined that the said judge has not participated
in the work of the Constitutional Court for more than twelve months, or if the
judge has been incapacitated by a court decree.
In the case of a vacancy resulting from a resignation of, or removal from, office of the judge of the Constitutional Court, the President of the Slovak Republic shall appoint another judge for a new term from two nominees approved by the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
The details of the structure of, and proceedings before, the Constitutional Court, and the status of judges therein shall be specified by law.
A r t i c l e..141
(1) The judiciary shall be administered by independent
and impartial courts of the Slovak Republic.
(2) The judiciary shall be independent of other branches of government at all
levels.
(1) The courts shall rule on civil and criminal
matters, and review decisions made by administrative bodies.
(2) A court of law shall consist of a bench of judges unless the law provides
for a single judge. The law shall stipulate cases in which the bench shall be
composed of lay and professional judges.
(3) Judgments shall be announced publicly in the name of the Slovak Republic.
(1) The judicial system shall be composed of
the Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic and other courts.
(2) Further details of the judicial system, jurisdiction of the courts, their
structure, and procedural rules shall be established by law.
(1) Judges shall be independent and bound only
by law.
(2) Judges shall be bound also by international instruments if so provided by
the Constitution or the law.
(3) In the case where the court establishes that a generally binding rule contradicts
the law, the proceedings shall be postponed and a petition shall be filed in
the Constitutional Court. The finding of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak
Republic shall be binding on the original court and all other courts.
(1) A judge shall be elected by the National
Council of the Slovak Republic on the advice of the Government of the Slovak
Republic for a four-year term. Upon the completion of this term, the National
Council, on the advice of the Government of the Slovak Republic, shall elect
the judge again for an indefinite term.
(2) The President of the Supreme Court and Vice-Presidents of the Supreme Court
of the Slovak Republic shall be elected by the National Council of the Slovak
Republic from among the judges of the Supreme Court for a five-year term for
no more than two consecutive terms.
Any judge may resign from office.
(1) A judge shall be removed from office by the National Council of the Slovak Republic:
(1) The status, powers and duties of judges shall
be fixed by law.
(2) The procedure required for the appointment of lay judges shall be specified
by law.
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Public prosecutors shall protect the legal rights and interests of the State, individuals, and corporations.
The Office of public prosecutors shall be headed by the Attorney-General who shall be appointed and recalled by the President of the Slovak Republic on the advice of the National Council of the Slovak Republic.
Further details of the appointment, recall, powers and duties of public prosecutors, as well as the structure of public prosecution shall be specified by law.
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(1) The constitutional statutes, laws and other
generally binding rules shall remain in force in the Slovak Republic unless
they are in contradiction with this Constitution. They can be derogated and
abrogated by the appropriate authorities of the Slovak Republic.
(2) Laws and other generally binding regulations passed in the Czech and Slovak
Federal Republic shall become inopertive on the ninetieth day after the publication
of a decision made by the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic on their
invalidity and according to promulgation procedures fixed by law.
(3) The power to invalidate legislation shall be vested in the decision of the
Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic under the provisions defined in
Article 130.
(4) Constitutional statutes, laws and other generally binding rules shall be
interpreted and applied in conformity with this Constitution.
The Slovak Republic shall be the successor to all the rights and duties ensuing from international treaties and agreements binding on the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic to the extent fixed by a constitutional statute issued in the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic or to the extent specified in an agreement made between the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic.
(1) The Slovak National Council elected under
Article 103 of the Czecho-Slovak Federation Constitutional Act 143/1968 and
its amendments shall operate under the new name of the National Council of the
Slovak Republic as provided by this Constitution. Its term begins on the election
date of the Slovak National Council.
(2) The Government of the Slovak Republic appointed under Article 122, section
(1 ) a) of the Czecho-Slovak Federation Constitutional Act 143/1968 and its
amendments shall be deemed to be the government appointed under this Constitution.
(3) The President of the Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic and the Attorney-General
of the Slovak Republic appointed under the previous legislation shall remain
in office until appointed under this Constitution.
(4) Judges elected under the previous statutory enactments shall be deemed to
have been elected to office for indefinite term under this Constitution.
The President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic shall announce presidential elections under this constitutional statute within 30 days from entering into force of the law passed under Art. 101 section 10.".
The following laws are hereby abrogated: (1)
The Slovak National Council Constitutional Statute 50/1990 concerning the name,
the state emblem, the state flag, the state seal and the state anthem of the
Slovak Republic;
(2) The Slovak National Council Constitutional Statute 79/1990 concerning the
number of representatives in the Slovak National Council, the solemn vow taken
by the representatives to the Slovak National Council, members of the Government
of the Slovak Republic and the local government representatives in the National
Committees and the official term of the Slovak National Council.
This Constitution of the Slovak Republic shall enter into effect on the day of its Proclamation except for the following: Article 3, section (2), Article 23, section (4) in the cases of expelling or extraditing an alien; Articles 53 and 84, section (3) in the case of war against another state, Article 86 subsection k) and 1 ) and Article 102 subsection g) in the case of academic appointments of university professors, presidents of universities, and promotions of military generals, Article 102, subsections j) and k) and Article 152 section 1, second clause in the case of constitutional statutes, laws and other general binding rules issued by the appropriate authorities in the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic which shall become operative concurrently with the appropriate constitutional changes in the Czech and Slovak Republic under the provisions of this Constitution.