Current constitutional-political discussion on the shortening of the parliamentary term by referendum in Slovakia (course, evaluation, result)

Abstract

The article is an attempt to present the current legal situation in the Slovak Republic concerning the shortening of the term of parliament by referendum. It contains, in addition to a discussion of the regulations themselves, also the course of previous changes in the area in question, as well as their evaluation and the effects of the problem raised so far. The authors do this not only on the basis of the legislative analysis itself, including primarily the text of the Constitution. They explicitly take into account the previous achievements of the Constitutional Court of the Slovak Republic in this regard. The very shortening of the parliamentary term by means of a referendum is an important topic from the point of view of the stability of the functioning not only of the legislative body, but also its impact on the entire state system, when one takes into account the role of the parliament as one of the three fundamental pillars of democracy. Moreover, the issue addressed is highly dynamic and the practice in this regard is taking place before our eyes, resulting in the upcoming autumn parliamentary elections in Slovakia. The authors also indicate the reasons why the referendum as one of the best solutions for decision-making in the state in this situation is not such a best solution at all.