Slovakia 1992 Constitution (reviewed 2017)

Table of Contents

Preamble

We, the Slovak nation,

bearing in mind the political and cultural heritage of our ancestors and the centuries of experience from the struggles for national existence and our own statehood,

mindful of the spiritual heritage 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 on the territory of the Slovak Republic,

in the interest of lasting peaceful cooperation with other democratic states,

seeking the application of the democratic form of government, guarantees of a free life, development of spiritual culture and economic prosperity,

that is, we, the citizens of the Slovak Republic,

adopt

through our representatives

this Constitution:

CHAPTER ONE

Part One. Basic Provisions

Article 1

The Slovak Republic is a sovereign, democratic state governed by the rule of law. It is not linked to any ideology, nor religion.
The Slovak Republic recognizes and honors general rules of international law, international treaties by which it is bound and its other international obligations.

Article 2

State power originates from citizens, who exercise it through their elected representatives, or directly.
State bodies may act only on the basis of the Constitution, within its limits, and to the extent and in a manner which shall be laid down by law.
Everyone may do what is not prohibited by law and no one may be forced to do anything that is not prescribed by law.

Article 3

The territory of the Slovak Republic is single and indivisible.
The borders of the Slovak Republic may be changed only by a constitutional law.

Article 4

Raw materials, caves, underground water, natural and thermal springs and streams are the property of the Slovak Republic. The Slovak Republic protects and develops these resources, and makes careful and effective use of mineral resources and natural heritage to the benefit of its citizens and subsequent generations.
The transport of water taken from water bodies located within the territory of the Slovak Republic outside the borders of the Slovak Republic by vehicles or pipeline is prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to water intended for personal use, drinking water put into consumer containers within the territory of the Slovak Republic and natural mineral water put into consumer containers within the territory of the Slovak Republic; nor to water provided for humanitarian help or assistance in states of emergency.Details of conditions for transporting water for personal use or water provided for humanitarian help and assistance in states of emergency shall be stated in a specific Law.

Article 5

Conditions for the acquisition and loss of the citizenship of the Slovak Republic shall be laid down by law.
No one may be deprived of the citizenship of the Slovak Republic against his will.

Article 6

The state language on the territory of the Slovak Republic is the Slovak language.
The use of languages other than the state language in official communications shall be laid down by law.

Article 7

The Slovak Republic may enter into a state union with other states upon its free decision. The decision on entering into a state union with other states, or on withdrawal from this union, shall be made by a constitutional law which must be confirmed by a referendum.
The Slovak Republic may, by an international treaty ratified and promulgated in a manner laid down by law, or on the basis of such treaty, transfer the exercise of a part of its rights to the European Communities and European Union. Legally binding acts of the European Communities and European Union shall have primacy over the laws of the Slovak Republic. Undertaking of legally binding acts that require implementation shall be executed by law or a government ordinance pursuant to Article 120, paragraph 2.
The Slovak Republic may, with the aim of maintaining peace, security and democratic order, under the terms laid down by an international treaty, join an organization of mutual collective security.
In order for any international treaties on human rights and fundamental freedoms, international political treaties, international treaties of military nature, international treaties establishing the membership of the Slovak Republic in international organizations, international economic treaties of general nature, international treaties whose execution requires a law and international treaties which directly constitute rights or obligations of natural persons or legal persons to be valid, an approval of the National Council of the Slovak Republic is required prior to their ratification.
International treaties on human rights and fundamental freedoms, international treaties whose executions does not require a law and international treaties which directly establish rights or obligations of natural persons or legal persons and which were ratified and promulgated in a manner laid down by law shall have primacy over the laws.

Article 7a

The Slovak Republic supports the national awareness and cultural identity of the Slovaks living abroad; it supports their institutions established to achieve this purpose and their relations with the mother country.

Part Two. State symbols

Article 8

The state symbols of the Slovak Republic are the state emblem, the national flag, the state seal and the national anthem.

Article 9

The state emblem of the Slovak Republic is a red early Gothic shield featuring a silver double cross erected on the central, slightly raised hill of three blue hills.
The national flag of the Slovak Republic consists of three horizontal bands -white, blue and red. The left half of the national flag of the Slovak Republic features the state emblem of the Slovak Republic.
The state seal of the Slovak Republic is formed by the state emblem of the Slovak Republic encircled by the inscription “Slovenská republika” [the Slovak Republic].
The national anthem of the Slovak Republic consists of the first two stanzas of the song “Nad Tatrou sa blyska” [Lightning Flashes Over the Tatra Mountains].
Details on the state symbols and their use shall be laid down by law.