European Parliament unhappy with Slovakia’s „Objections of conscience“

Slovakia should shortly sign an agreement with the Holy See on objections of conscience. Belgian member of the European Parliament Veronique de Keyser warns that the agreement might be at odds with the EU legislation. The MEP represents the European Socialist Party in the European Parliament. Keyser said that the European Parliament will ask lawyers to judge the section on objections of conscience and decide whether Slovakia will violate the EU legislation by signing it. The deputy warns that the situation in Slovakia is becoming serious. According to the agreement, Slovak citizens will be able to refuse any act, which contradicts their conscience based on religion or ethics mainly in the medical profession and the armed forces.

Keyser alleges that the Holy See is attempting to influence the EU policy through some EU newcomers, which is absolutely unacceptable, according to her. The deputy warns that Europe might slip back. She did not hide that her party is preparing to launch a debate in the EP about increasingly rigid positions of conservative parties on religious issues, women's right to an abortion and objections of conscience.

In Slovakia it was the local Christian Democrat Party that has pushed for signing a wide range of treaties with the Vatican. This party is a member of the European People’s Party, the strongest faction in the EP. Some MEPs are convinced that this party is nearing another split because people who do not agree with extreme opinions in the role of the national state and the role of churches in society will soon leave the faction. The People's Party experienced the first revolt last summer when French and Belgian Christian-Democrats quit their ranks and found shelter with the Liberals.