(MENAFN) Slovakia’s legislative body has ratified a constitutional revision that clearly defines gender as strictly "male and female." As per a national news outlet, 90 out of the 99 legislators in attendance cast their votes in support of this change on Friday.

This legislative decision places Slovakia in direct contrast with common policies upheld within the European Union, which generally emphasize the acknowledgment of gender identity and the safeguarding of LGBTQ rights.

The amendment could lead to tensions between Bratislava and the European Commission, as the EU maintains that its laws must supersede national regulations.

The constitutional modification encompasses more than just gender categorization. It also introduces several restrictions: it confines adoption rights solely to legally married partners, prohibits surrogacy, and mandates that men and women must receive the same pay for the same work. These stipulations are set to be implemented starting November 1.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico portrayed the legislative shift as a protective measure against what he referred to as the “progressive ideology” stemming from Brussels, framing it as a declaration of Slovakia's self-governance.

His coalition, led by the Slovak National Party, expressed that the outcome of the parliamentary vote demonstrated that “reason, values and principles can prevail even within the European Union,” according to the news outlet.

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