PRESIDENT Andrej Kiska revealed how he will vote in the referendum initiated by the Alliance for Family (AZR) that seeks to constitutionally define the concept of family. As a conservative person, he will support the first two questions referring to the definition of marriage and rights of adoption for same-sex couples. He is, however, against the question regarding sexual education at schools, the president told the press on November 12.
“There are questions to which I have a very clear attitude,” Kiska said, as quoted by the SITA newswire. “I am a conservative person who understands what minorities or other groups expect.”
Though he agrees that many things at school do not work as they should and he understands the objections to what is being taught, Kiska said that “it is necessary that the schools offer basic sexual education”, as reported by SITA.
AZR welcomed his statement, adding that Kiska probably did not understand the question about education properly since it is not related to a general ban of sexual education and it will initiate a meeting to discuss this issue with him, according to the TASR newswire.
The referendum will contain three questions: Do you agree that no other cohabitation of persons other than a bond between one man and one woman can be called marriage? Do you agree that same-sex couples or groups should not be allowed to adopt and raise children? Do you agree that schools cannot require children to participate in education pertaining to sexual behaviour or euthanasia if their parents or the children themselves do not agree with the content of the education?
The fourth question asking voters whether they agree that no other cohabitation of persons other than marriage should be granted particular protection, rights and duties, was not in compliance with the constitution, the Constitutional Court ruled on October 28, and thus will not appear on ballots.
The president still cannot announce the date of the vote as he has not received the ruling of the Constitutional Court yet.
“If no steps are made in the near future, I will take my own initiative in order to have the ruling delivered to the President’s Office as soon as possible,” Kiska said, as quoted by SITA. He said that immediately after receiving the verdict he will set the date of the voting.
