National Council of the Slovak Republic
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The National Council of the Slovak Republic (in Slovak: Národná rada Slovenskej republiky, often just: Národná rada, abbr. NR SR has been the name of the parliament of Slovakia 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).
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Decision making
The parliement 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.
[edit] Speakers
For the speakers see: List of leaders of Slovak parliaments
[edit] 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 June 17, 2006 (early elections).
[edit] Latest election
| Parties | Votes | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direction – Social Democracy (Smer – sociálna demokracia) | 671,185 | 29.14 | 50 |
| Slovak Democratic and Christian Union – Democratic Party (Slovenská demokratická a kresťanská únia – Demokratická strana) | 422,815 | 18.35 | 31 |
| Slovak National Party (Slovenská národná strana) | 270,230 | 11.73 | 20 |
| Party of the Hungarian Coalition (Strana maďarskej koalície - Magyar Koalíció Pártja) | 269,111 | 11.68 | 20 |
| People's Party – Movement for a Democratic Slovakia (Ľudová strana – Hnutie za demokratické Slovensko) | 202,540 | 8.79 | 15 |
| Christian Democratic Movement (Kresťanskodemokratické hnutie) | 191,443 | 8.31 | 14 |
| Communist Party of Slovakia (Komunistická strana Slovenska) | 89,418 | 3.88 | - |
| Free Forum (Slobodné fórum) | 79,963 | 3.47 | - |
| Alliance of the New Citizen (Aliancia Nového Občana) | 32,775 | 1.42 | - |
| Movement for Democracy (Hnutie za demokraciu) | 14,728 | 0.63 | - |
| Hope (Nádej) | 14,595 | 0.63 | - |
| Total (Turnout 54.67 %) | 150 |
[edit] Buildings
The main parliament building is situated next to the Bratislava Castle on the castle hill. The secondary parliament building, which was the main building until 1994, is situated next to the Trinity Church below the castle hill in Bratislava.
