The Slovakian Parliament's ruling coalition has split following a controversy over whether or not to ratify a treaty with the Vatican. The treaty would guarantee that Catholic medical professionals not be required to provides services which violate their consciences, particularly abortion. The treaty was highly criticized by a European Union committee of experts which issued an opinion saying that the right to have an abortion may outweigh the right of a doctor not to perform an abortion.
On Monday, the Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), one of the main partners in Slovakia's ruling coalition, walked out of the government after Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda refused to allow a vote to ratify the Vatican treaty. As a result parliamentary elections originally scheduled for September will likely be moved up to June so that a new government can be selected.
Dzurinda, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (SDKU), has led a center-right coalition of four parties all of which advocate socially conservative positions, free market economic policies or a combination of both. Dzurinda and the SDKU are thought to support ratification of the treaty but are likely resisting a vote because they believe they do not have enough votes to pass it because of opposition from the libertarian elements of their coalition.
A source inside the Vatican told the Friday Fax that the opinion of the EU's Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights which assailed the treaty played a key role in solidifying opposition to the treaty. Peter Zelenak, the Political Counselor at the Slovak Embassy in Washington, told the Friday Fax that while he did not believe the EU opinion played a major role in preventing a vote on the treaty he did say the opinion "was there [and] it was on the table," "it was published in Slovakia," and at least some people cited it as reason to oppose the treaty.
Prior to Monday's walkout Zelenak proposed returning to negotiations with the Vatican in order to change the treaty to make it easier to pass. The KDH Party said such a compromise was unacceptable and walked out of the ruling government.
Copyright 2005 - C-FAM (Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute).
Website: www.c-fam.org
