Political system and state bodies

The Slovak Republic was established on January 1, 1993 as one of the successors to the Czech and Slovak Federal (Federative) Republic. It is a parliamentary democracy, and its Constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens regardless of gender, religion, race, national origin, social status or political conviction.

Government Type: Parliamentary democracy.

Independence: The Slovak Republic was established on January 1, 1993 (former Czechoslovak Republic established in 1918).

Constitution: Approved on September 1, 1992.

Branches: Executive – President (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government), Cabinet. Legislative – National Council of the Slovak Republic (150 seats). Judicial‑Supreme Court, Constitutional Court.

Political parties: Distribution of the 150 parliamentary seats: Direction – Social Democracy (Smer‑SD) 83 seats; Christian‑Democratic Movement (KDH) 16 seats; Ordinary People and  Independent Personalities (OĽaNO) 16 seats; Bridge (Most‑Hid) 13 seats; Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) 11 seats; Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU) 11 seats; Other parties  outside the Parliament include Hungarian Coalition Party (SMK); People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (LS‑HZDS); Party of the Democratic Left (SDL); Slovak National Party (SNS).

Suffrage: Universal at 18 years.

Administrative divisions: Eight self‑governing regions, 79 districts.

Membership in international groupings/organisations: EU (May 2004), NATO (March 2004), UN (January 1993), OECD, Council of Europe, OSCE, WHO, INTERPOL, etc.

State bodies

The National Council of the Slovak Republic is a unicameral parliament and the country's main legislative body. The National Council has 150 members elected for 4‑year terms in direct elections. The electoral system is proportional representation. Parties are allocated seats in the Parliament according to the percentage share of the votes they get in parliamentary elections. Only a party with at least 5 % of votes can obtain seats in the Parliament.

The President of the Slovak Republic is the Head of State elected for a five‑year term in a direct two‑round election. The same person can be elected President for a maximum of two consecutive 5‑year terms. The current Slovak President is Mr. Andrej Kiska (elected in 2014).

The Government of the Slovak Republic is the highest tier of executive power and consists of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers. The Government is formed on the basis of parliamentary elections (last one held in March 2012). The Prime Minister is appointed and can be dismissed by the President. Upon the advice of the Prime Minister, the President appoints and dismisses other members of the Government. The Government is collectively responsible for the exercise of governmental powers to the Parliament, which may hold a vote of no confidence at any time. The Parliament can hold a vote of no confidence in a single member of the Government, too. The current Prime Minister, Mr. Róbert Fico, was appointed in April 2012.

Other state bodies are the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic and the Supreme Audit Office of the Slovak Republic.

The state administration is mostly executed at a central level. The central bodies devolve to regional levels. If needed, local state administration authorities establish other authorities and offices in the regions.

Last modified: 2015-10-27