Slovakia
As of February 2026, Slovakia is undergoing a period of intense legal and constitutional friction. Since the return of Robert Fico to the premiership in late 2023, the country has seen a series of "fast-track" reforms that have drawn sharp criticism from the European Union, leading to concerns about democratic backsliding similar to the trajectories of Hungary and Poland.
1. Constitutional Rollback of LGBTQ+ Rights
In late 2025, Slovakia enacted one of its most controversial constitutional shifts in decades, positioning itself as a "dam against progressivism."
Biological Sex Mandate: As of November 1, 2025, the Constitution was amended to state that Slovakia recognizes only two sexes—male and female—which must be "biologically determined" at birth. This effectively ends any path for legal gender recognition for transgender or non-binary individuals.+1
Adoption and Marriage: The amendments further restrict adoption rights strictly to married couples. Since marriage is already constitutionally defined as a union between a man and a woman, same-sex couples are now permanently excluded from adoption.
National Identity Clause: The 2025 reform introduced a clause stating that Slovak national law takes precedence over EU law in matters of "national identity" (family, culture, and ethics). This is a direct challenge to the European Court of Justice's authority.
2. Media Capture and the Dissolution of RTVS
The media landscape has been fundamentally reshaped by government intervention over the past year.
Establishment of STVR: In July 2024, the government abolished the independent public broadcaster RTVS and replaced it with Slovak Television and Radio (STVR). As of 2026, the broadcaster's governing board is dominated by pro-government appointees, leading to accusations of "media capture."
Decline in Press Freedom: In early 2026, Slovakia fell significantly in the World Press Freedom Index, reaching its worst position in 15 years. Independent outlets reported increased political pressure to avoid critical coverage and a lack of anti-SLAPP protections for journalists.
Information Paywalls: A 2025 amendment to the Free Access to Information Act introduced fees and extended response times for public information requests, which NGOs argue is a "bureaucratic wall" designed to stifle investigative journalism.
3. Rule of Law and Corruption
The "ill-considered revolution" of the criminal code has led to a tense standoff with Brussels.
Special Prosecutor Abolished: The specialized unit that handled high-level corruption and organized crime was disbanded. In January 2026, the government moved to replace the Whistleblower Protection Office with a new body under tighter executive control.
Sentence Reductions: 2024 and 2025 reforms substantially reduced penalties and shortened the statute of limitations for economic crimes and corruption. The Council of Europe (GRECO) warned in late 2025 that these changes "gravely jeopardize" anti-corruption efforts.
"Bending the Law": A new criminal offense (Article 326a) allows for the prosecution of judges for "bending the law," which legal experts fear is a tool for the executive to intimidate the judiciary.
4. Systemic Discrimination against the Roma
Despite EU infringement procedures, the segregation of the Roma minority remains a "bleak reality" in 2026.
Educational Segregation: A joint 2025 report by Amnesty International and the ERRC found that school segregation has actually increased. Approximately 50% of Roma children still attend "Roma schools" with lower standards and inferior facilities.
Housing and Water: Roughly one-third of the Roma population still lives in housing without tap water, and 80% live below the poverty line.
Two-Shift Schooling: The practice of "two-shift schooling" (morning and afternoon classes to accommodate overcrowded, segregated schools) continues to be applied almost exclusively to Roma children, severely limiting their educational outcomes.
5. Reproductive Rights and Sexuality Education
Restrictions on Education: The 2025 constitutional changes made sexual education in schools conditional on the written consent of a legal guardian, which activists argue will restrict children's access to vital information on consent and sexual violence prevention.
Abortion Access: While abortion remains legal up to 12 weeks, "backdoor" restrictions persist. Mandatory waiting periods and the requirement for two separate medical attestations (from different facilities) for certain cases have made the procedure increasingly difficult to access in rural areas.