Stock image. (source: SITA)
Argentinian Mariano Ruiz de Šanko may become the first person given permanent resident status by Slovakia based on the fact that he entered into a homosexual marriage with a Slovak. Three years ago, he married Jakub Šanko de Ruiz.
The October verdict of the Regional Court in Žilina in favour of the couple is the first of its kind and comes less than three weeks after the terrorist attack on the LGBT+ community on Zámocká Street in Bratislava.
This does not mean a change in the attitude of the courts or authorities towards LGBT partnerships, but about adopting the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, which is binding for all EU member countries.
The Sme daily provides answers to basic questions about what the decision means and explains whether it can lead to greater acceptance of the rights of the community in Slovakia.
Why did the couple sue Slovakia?
The couple met in Argentina, where they still live. Šanko de Ruiz, originally from the village of Veľké Rovné, north-west Slovakia, went to the country years ago and established himself as a cook.
He even succeeded in a cooking television show and founded his own restaurant in Buenos Aires, offering Slovak specialities in addition to Argentinian dishes. Although successful, Šanko de Ruiz would like to return to Slovakia, but not alone. In May 2019, he married Argentinian Marian Ruiz.
