National Council of Slovakia
The National Council of the Slovak Republic (Slovak: Národná rada Slovenskej republiky, abbreviated to NR SR) is the national parliament of Slovakia. It is unicameral and consists of 150 members, who are elected by universal suffrage under proportional representation with seats distributed via largest remainder method with Hagenbach-Bischoff quota every four years.[2]
Not to be confused with Slovak National Council.
National Council of the Slovak Republic
Národná rada Slovenskej republiky
1 January 1993, 30 years ago
150
19 Committees
Open list proportional representation with a 5% electoral threshold (7% for two-, three-party alliances; 10% for four-or-more party alliance) allocated under the largest remainder method with Hagenbach-Bischoff quota[2]
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 (Slovak: 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.[3]
The parliament building is in Bratislava, Slovakia's capital, next to Bratislava Castle in Alexander Dubček Square.
Functions[edit]
The 150-seat unicameral National Council of the Slovak Republic is Slovakia's sole constitutional and legislative body.[4] It considers and approves the constitution, constitutional amendments, and other legislation.[5] It approves the state budget.[5] It elects some officials specified by law, as well as justices of the Constitutional Court and the prosecutor general.[6][7] Prior to their ratification, the parliament also should approve all important international treaties.[5] 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.[5]
Decision-making[edit]
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. 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 Council's 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.[8]