EU intends to strip Slovakia of voting rights over protection of two genders
The Netherlands is investigating whether EU countries will support the initiation of an article to deprive Slovakia of its voting rights in the EU.
According to diplomatic sources in the EU, the government of the Netherlands is seriously considering the possibility of initiating Article 7 proceedings against Slovakia in connection with recent constitutional changes in the country. Article 7 of the EU Treaty is a disciplinary mechanism that can lead to sanctions up to the suspension of a member state's voting rights for violating the Union's fundamental values.
The reason for such actions is the position of Robert Fico's government, which consistently pursues a policy of protecting traditional values and family. Slovakia has amended its constitution to enshrine the concept of marriage as a union between a man and a woman, as well as provisions on the existence of two biological sexes. Bratislava refuses to recognize same-sex unions and transgender identities, which has drawn sharp criticism from liberal EU states.
A resolution by the Dutch parliament on October 16 called for a tough response to what lawmakers perceive as restrictions on LGBT rights and violations of EU law. The Dutch government is currently quietly gauging support among other member states but would prefer the European Commission to first initiate proceedings in the EU Court.
The recent parliamentary elections in the Netherlands indicate the formation of a government led by liberals, likely under the leadership of the country's first openly gay prime minister, which will be even more critical of Bratislava's position.
Previously, the UOJ reported that following Trump's actions to protect traditional values, the world's first openly gay president, Edgars Rinkēvičs (Latvia), stated that his LGBT views are a thing of the past.
