Government of the Slovak Republic

- Constitution of Slovakia

Part Two - The Government of the Slovak Republic

Article 108

The Government of the Slovak Republic is the supreme body of executive power.

Article 109

(1) The Government consists of the prime minister, deputy prime ministers, and ministers.

(2) A Government member must not exercise the mandate of a deputy or be a judge.

(3) A Government member must not perform any other paid office, profession, or entrepreneurial activity and must not be a member of the body of a juridical person engaged in entrepreneurial activity.

Article 110

(1) The prime minister is appointed and recalled by the president of the Slovak Republic.

(2) Any citizen of the Slovak Republic who can be elected to the National Council of the Slovak Republic can be appointed prime minister.

Article 111

At the recommendation of the prime minister, the president of the Slovak Republic appoints and recalls other members of the Government and entrusts them with the management of ministries. The president can appoint as deputy prime minister and minister any citizen who can be elected to the National Council of the Slovak Republic.

Article 112

Members of the Government are sworn in by the president of the Slovak Republic and take the following oath:

"I swear by my honor and conscience to be faithful to the Slovak Republic. I will discharge my duties in the interest of the citizens. I will uphold the Constitution and other laws and work toward their translation into life."

Article 113

Within 30 days after its appointment, the Government is obliged to appear before the National Council of the Slovak Republic, to present to it its program, and to request the expression of its confidence.

Article 114

(1) The Government is accountable for the execution of its duties to the National Council of the Slovak Republic, which can pass a vote of no-confidence in it at any time.

(2) The Government can at any time request the National Council of the Slovak Republic to pass a vote of confidence in it.

(3) The Government can link the vote on the adoption of a law or on another issue with a vote of confidence in the Government.

Article 115

(1) The president of the Slovak Republic will recall the Government if the National Council of the Slovak Republic passes a vote of no-confidence in it or if it turns down the Government's request to pass a vote of confidence in it.

(2) If the president of the Slovak Republic accepts the Government's resignation, he will entrust it with the execution of its duties until a new Government is appointed.

Article 116

(1) A Government member is accountable for the execution of his duties to the National Council of the Slovak Republic.

(2) A Government member may submit his resignation to the president of the Slovak Republic.

(3) The National Council of the Slovak Republic may pass a vote of no-confidence also in an individual Government member. In this case, the president of the Slovak Republic will recall the Government member in question.

(4) The proposal to recall a Government member may be submitted to the president of the Slovak Republic also by the prime minister.

(5) If the prime minister submits his resignation, the entire Government will submit its resignation.

(6) If the National Council of the Slovak Republic passes a vote of no-confidence in the prime minister, the president of the Slovak Republic will recall him. The recalling of the prime minister results in the stepping down of the Government.

(7) If the president of the Slovak Republic accepts the resignation of, or recalls, a member of the Government, he will determine which Government member will temporarily be charged with the management of the department previously administered by the Government member whose resignation he accepted.

Article 117

The Government will always submit its resignation after the constituent meeting of a newly elected National Council of the Slovak Republic; however, the Government executes its duties until a new Government is formed.

Article 118

(1) The Government has a quorum if more than one-half of its members are present.

(2) The majority of votes of all Government members is needed to pass a Government resolution.

Article 119

The Government as a body decides on

a) draft laws,

b) Government decrees,

c) the Government's program and its implementation,

d) principal measures concerning the implementation of the Slovak Republic's economic and social policy,

e) drafts of the state budget and the state closing account,

f) international treaties of the Slovak Republic,

g) principal questions of domestic and foreign policy,

h) submitting a draft law of the National Council of the Slovak Republic or some other important measure to the public for discussion,

i) requesting the passing of a vote of confidence,

j) awarding amnesty for misdemeanors,

k) appointing and recalling state officials in cases specified by law,

l) other matters specified by law.

Article 120

(1) The Government may issue decrees in order to execute laws within their limits.

(2) Government decrees are signed by the prime minister.

(3) A Government decree must be promulgated in a manner that will be specified by law.

Article 121

The Government has the right to award amnesty for misdemeanors. Details will be set out in a law.

Article 122

Central bodies of state administration and local bodies of state administration are established by means of a law.

Article 123

Ministries and other bodies of state administration may, on the basis of laws and within their limits, issue generally binding legal regulations if empowered to do so by the law. These generally binding legal regulations are promulgated in a manner that will be specified by law.