The Netherlands is considering initiating disciplinary proceedings against Slovakia under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union — a mechanism that, in extreme cases, allows for the suspension of a member state’s voting rights in the EU Council. The news was reported by VSquare, citing diplomatic sources within the European Union. The move comes after the Slovak parliament in September adopted constitutional amendments that, among other things, define the existence of only two genders — male and female.
The possible decision to trigger the procedure follows a resolution passed by the Dutch parliament on October 16. The document calls on the Dutch government to respond to Slovakia’s actions, which, in the lawmakers’ view, restrict LGBT+ rights and contradict EU law. According to VSquare, the Dutch government is currently informally sounding out whether other EU member states would support the initiative. The Netherlands also wants the European Commission to take the first step by bringing an infringement case before the Court of Justice of the European Union.
At the end of September, Slovakia amended its constitution to enshrine the existence of only two genders — male and female — and to change adoption rules. The amendments also establish the primacy of national law over EU norms. These provisions have already sparked criticism: the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission has submitted its concerns, and the European Commission has expressed unease about the constitutional changes and their compliance with common European standards.
Prime Minister Robert Fico is known for his warm relationship with Vladimir Putin. On October 27, Fico declared that Slovakia would not take part in EU initiatives aimed at military support for Ukraine, citing the need to focus on domestic interests and economic stability. He also called the EU’s decision to allocate €140 billion to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets “a major mistake.”
