Note: Because turnout only reached 27%, this referendum is not considered valid.

At Stake in this Election: 

On January 21, 2023, voters will be asked to respond to the following question: 

Do you agree that the early termination of the election period of the National Council of the Slovak Republic can be carried out by a referendum or a resolution of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, namely by changing the Constitution of the Slovak Republic? 

Approval of this referendum would make it easier for snap elections to occur, either by a referendum or by a resolution approved by 50% of the parliament, rather than 75%, as is currently in the Constitution. 

Additionally, referendums must receive at least 50% voter turnout to be considered valid.  

Government Structure:  

• Chief of State: President Zuzana ČAPUTOVÁ (since 15 June 2019) 

• Head of Government: Interim Prime Minister Eduard HEGER (since 16 December 2022) 

• Assembly: Unicameral legislature known as the National Council of the Slovak Republic with 150 members 

Electoral System: 

• The President is elected by popular vote. If one candidate does not earn 50% of the vote in the first round, a run-off is held with the top two candidates. They are elected to five-year terms. 

• The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. Generally, it is the leader of the majority party/coalition. 

• The 150 members of the National Council of the Slovak Republic using proportional representation of a single multi-member constituency. They are elected to four-year terms. 

Population and Registered Voters: 

• Population: 5,431,252 (2022 est.) 

• Registered Voters: 4,432,419 (2020) 

Gender Data: 

• Female Population: 2,800,285 (2020 est.) 

• CEDAW Status: Succeeded 28 May 1993 

• Number of Female Legislators: 32 out of 150 (21.3%) 

• Human Development Index (HDI) Position: Rank 45 at 0.848 (2021) 

• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A 

Disability Data: 

• CRPD Status: Signed 26 Sept 2007, Ratified 26 May 2010 

• Projected population with a disability: 814,688 (2022 est.) 

IFES Resources: 

• Does IFES have a presence in Slovakia: No