National Council of the Slovak Republic

The National Council of the Slovak Republic is a body of state power. The position of other state authorities is derived from its primary position within the Republic. As an elected body, it represents the sovereignty of the State and the people. It plays an important role in building the Slovak Republic as a modern and democratic state and in introducing a socially and environmentally oriented market economy.

The powers of the National Council are determined by its constitutional position within the system of the exercise of state power. They are divided into:

• legislative powers,
• supervisory powers,
• powers relating to the establishment of state authorities,
• powers in the field of domestic and foreign policy.

Legislative powers

The National Council deliberates on and adopts the Constitution, constitutional acts and other acts of law, and monitors their compliance. Through its legal provisions, it regulates relations arising in all areas of the social, political and economic life of the Slovak Republic.

The right of legislative initiative (i.e. the right to submit bills) belongs to the committees, Members of the National Council and the Government of the Slovak Republic. The legislative process in the National Council takes place through three readings, with the second reading, conducted in committees and at a session of the National Council, being the most important stage alongside voting.

During the first reading, following a general debate in which no amendments are submitted, the National Council shall:

• return the bill to its proposer for further elaboration;
• discontinue the proceedings on the bill;
• refer the bill to the second reading.

The second reading may take place no earlier than 48 hours after the delivery of the joint report of the committees or the information provided by the joint rapporteur. The submission of an amendment or supplementary proposal is subject to the approval of at least 15 Members of the National Council.

During the third reading, a Member of the National Council may propose only the correction of legislative-technical and linguistic errors. Other amendments and supplementary proposals may be submitted by at least 30 Members. During the third reading, the National Council adopts the bill.

Supervisory powers

State authorities established by the National Council, or in whose establishment it participates, are accountable to it. The National Council exercises its supervisory powers primarily over the Government of the Slovak Republic and its members:

• It gives its approval to the Government Programme, which is a prerequisite for the Government to continue its activities, and monitors its implementation.
• It approves the State Budget and the State Final Account, including audit reports.
• It debates and votes on a motion of confidence in the Government or its members.

The supervisory powers of the National Council in relation to the Government also include the right of Members to submit interpellations, initiatives and comments. The recipients are obliged to respond in the manner prescribed by law.

If Thursday is a sitting day of the National Council, Question Time is always included in its agenda at 2:00 p.m. All members of the Government are required to be present during the agenda items “Interpellations” and “Question Time”.

The National Council approves the budgets of other legal entities that it has established and discusses their implementation.

It discusses reports of the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic on the results of its audit activities, as well as reports of the National Bank of Slovakia on monetary developments and the results of its financial management.

Powers relating to the establishment of state authorities

The powers of the National Council relating to the establishment of state authorities mean the right to establish its own bodies and state authorities, as well as to participate in the establishment of other state authorities. Accordingly, the National Council:

• elects and dismisses, by secret ballot, the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the National Council;
• establishes and abolishes its committees, special supervisory committees and commissions, determines their numbers, and elects and dismisses their chairs and members;
• establishes and abolishes ministries and other central state administration authorities by law;
• elects candidates for the positions of judges of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic and the Prosecutor General of the Slovak Republic;
• elects and dismisses other office-holders where provided for by law.

The procedures for submitting nominations, electing and dismissing the above-mentioned office-holders are governed by electoral rules approved by the National Council.

Powers of the National Council in the field of domestic and foreign policy

The National Council exercises its powers in the field of domestic and foreign policy by:

• approving changes to the State borders by means of constitutional acts;
• approving, by means of constitutional acts, treaties on the accession of the Slovak Republic to a state union with other states, and denouncing such treaties;
• deciding on the declaration of war if the Slovak Republic is attacked or if this follows from its obligations under international treaties on collective defence against attack, and, after the end of the war, on the conclusion of peace;
• giving its consent to the deployment of armed forces outside the territory of the Slovak Republic;
• giving its consent to the presence of foreign armed forces on the territory of the Slovak Republic;
• giving its consent, prior to ratification, to international treaties where required by the Constitution;
• deciding on a proposal to call a referendum;
• discussing fundamental issues of domestic, international, economic, social and other policies.

Members of the National Council

The National Council of the Slovak Republic has 150 Members, who:

• are elected for a four-year term;
• represent the citizens;
• exercise their mandate personally, in accordance with their conscience and convictions, and are not bound by instructions;
• are elected in general, equal and direct elections by secret ballot.

A citizen of the Slovak Republic may be elected as a Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic if they:

• have reached the age of 21 no later than on election day;
• have permanent residence in the territory of the Slovak Republic;
• are not subject to any impediment to the exercise of the right to vote (such impediments include a statutory restriction of personal liberty on grounds of public health protection and deprivation of legal capacity).

The office of a Member of the National Council is incompatible with the office of a judge, prosecutor, Public Defender of Rights, member of the armed forces, member of an armed corps or Member of the European Parliament.

If a Member of the National Council is appointed as a member of the Government of the Slovak Republic, their parliamentary mandate does not expire during their tenure in that office; it is merely not exercised.