National Council of the Slovak Republic

National Council of the Slovak Republic
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
Speaker	Pavol Paska, Direction – Social Democracy since 4 April 2012
Members	150
Political groups	Direction – Social Democracy (83)      Christian Democratic Movement (16)      Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (16)      Most–Híd (13)      SDKÚ–DS (11)      Freedom and Solidarity (11)
Elections
Voting system	Open list proportional representation with a 5% election threshold
Last election	11 March 2012
Meeting place
Bratislava
Website
www.nrsr.sk

Slovakia

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Slovakia

Constitution Constitution Constitutional Court Executive President Ivan Gašparovič Government Prime Minister Robert Fico Legislature National Council Speaker Pavol Paška Elections Parliamentary 2012 Presidential 2009 European 2009 Political parties Political parties Smer · SDKÚ · SaS KDH · Most · SNS SMK–MKP · HZDS Divisions Regions Districts Municipalities Foreign Policy Foreign relations Relations with Hungary Politics of the EU

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The National Council of the Slovak Republic (Slovak: Národná rada Slovenskej republiky or just Národná rada), abbreviated to NR SR, is the national parliament of Slovakia. It is unicameral, and consists of 150 MPs, who are elected by universal suffrage under proportional representation every four years.

Slovakia's parliament has been called the 'National Council' since 1 October 1992. From 1969 to 1992, its predecessor, the parliament of the Slovak part of Czechoslovakia, was called the Slovak National Council (Slovenská národná rada).

The National Council approves domestic legislation, constitutional laws, and the annual budget. Its consent is required to ratify international treaties, and is responsible for approving military operations. It also elects individuals to some positions in the executive and judiciary as specified by law.

The parliament building is situated on the castle hill, next to Bratislava Castle in Alexander Dubček Square.

Functions

The 150-seat unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic is Slovakia's sole constitutional and legislative body. It considers and approves the Constitution, constitutional statutes and other legal acts. It also approves the state budget. It elects some officials specified by law as well as the candidates for the position of a Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic and the Prosecutor General. Prior to their ratification, the parliament should approve all important international treaties. Moreover, it gives consent for dispatching of military forces outside of Slovakia's territory and for the presence of foreign military forces on the territory of the Slovak Republic.

Decision making

The parliament may vote only if a majority of all its members (76) are present. To pass a decision the approval of a simple majority of all MPs present is required (i.e. at least 39 votes). Almost all legal acts can be adopted by this relative majority. An absolute majority (76 votes) is required to pass a vote of no-confidence in the Cabinet or its members, or to elect and recall the Speaker or the Deputy Speakers. A qualified majority of 3/5 of all deputies (at least 90 votes) is required for the adoption of a constitution or a constitutional statute.

Speakers

For the speakers see: List of speakers of Slovak parliaments

Еlections

Members of the parliament are elected directly for a 4-year term, under the proportional system. Although the suffrage is universal, only a 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. Similarly to the Netherlands and Israel, the whole country forms one multi-member constituency. The election threshold is 5%. Voters may indicate their preferences within the semi-open list. Parliamentary elections were last held on 10 March 2012.

Latest election

 Summary of the 10 March 2012 Slovak National Council election results

Parties		Ideology	Votes	%	Seats	±
	Direction – Social Democracy	Social democracy	1,134,280	44.41	83	+21
	Christian Democratic Movement	Christian democracy	225,361	8.82	16	+1
	Ordinary People and Independent Personalities	Conservatism	218,537	8.55	16	*
	Most–Híd	Hungarian minority interest	176,088	6.89	13	−1
	Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party	Liberal conservatism	155,744	6.09	11	−17
	Freedom and Solidarity	Classical liberalism	150,266	5.88	11	−11
	Slovak National Party	Nationalism	116,420	4.55	0	−9
	Party of the Hungarian Coalition	Hungarian minority interest	109,483	4.28	0	0
	99 Percent – Civic Voice		40,488	1.58	0	*
	People's Party – Our Slovakia	Nationalismcitation needed	40,460	1.58	0	0
	Change from the Bottom, Democratic Union of Slovakia		33,155	1.29	0	*
	Free Word Party of Nora Mojsejová		31,159	1.22	0	*
	Others		122,285	4.77
Total (turnout 59.11%)			2,553,726	—	150	—
* Did not stand in previous election
Source: Statistics Bureau of Slovakia

Buildings

Building of the National Council of the Slovak Republic next to Bratislava Castle.

The main parliament building is situated next to the Bratislava Castle on the castle hill. The building is insufficiently large to accommodate all officials and representatives. This is because it was built during the Czecoslovak period, when the legislature usually met in Prague. The secondary parliament building, which was the main building until 1994, is situated next to the Trinitarian Church below the castle hill in Bratislava.

External links

• Official page in Slovak and in English