Dávid Bořuta
Jul 2, 2025
New legislation aims to restrict funding, raise barriers, and weaken democratic competition
The Slovak government has proposed a legislative package that significantly undermines the country’s democratic pluralism. Under the draft law, smaller and opposition political parties will face steep financial and administrative obstacles that threaten their ability to participate meaningfully in elections.
Key measures include:
Tripling election deposits for parliamentary elections (from €17,000 to €50,000) and increasing the minimum vote share required to reclaim the deposit from 2% to 5%.
Raising the threshold for public funding—only parties exceeding 5% of the national vote would qualify for state contributions, effectively cutting off resources for smaller movements.
Reducing existing funding by 30% whenever the public deficit exceeds 3% of GDP.
Restricting donations by banning cash contributions and requiring detailed identification of all donors.
Limiting parties’ ability to change their names, making organizational renewal more difficult.
These changes are being advanced precisely at a time when the ruling coalition is consolidating control over public prosecutors, the police, and national media. https://www.slov-lex.sk/elegislativa/legislativne-procesy/SK/LP/2025/344
Article 31 of the Slovak Constitution clearly states:
“The legal regulation of all political rights and freedoms and their interpretation and application must enable and protect free competition among political forces in a democratic society.”
This legislation does the opposite.
The civic association Future Slovakia Forum calls for open public debate on alternative reforms that strengthen citizens’ sovereignty and ensure fair competition, including its own proposal for a System 2027, which envisions a two-chamber parliament and stronger regional representation. THE PRESS RELEASE (in SLOVAK):
FULL PROPOSAL FOR EXPERT DISCUSSION "SYSTEM 2027" (in SLOVAK):