Slovak Ruling Parties Propose Stricter Penalties for Defaming State Symbols

Slovakia's ruling coalition parties Smer-SD and the Slovak National Party (SNS) plan to introduce legislation toughening penalties for defaming state symbols. The proposed amendment to the Criminal Code is scheduled to be presented during the September parliamentary session. The move comes as the parties seek stricter enforcement against acts they view as insulting to Slovak national symbols, including the double cross that appears on the country's coat of arms and flag. Smer-SD, the dominant social-democratic party in the ruling coalition, and SNS, a nationalist party, are responding to what they consider inappropriate treatment of state symbols in public discourse and artistic expression.