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Act on Patriotism Passed to Second Reading in Parliament
Wednesday 09 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, December 9 (TASR) - The law proposal drawn up by Slovak National Party (SNS), according to which pupils should start their classes with the Slovak anthem, was passed to the second reading in Parliament on Wednesday.
According to the law proposal that should bolster patriotism, a patriotic oath will be required from MPs and MRPs (members of regional parliaments) when taking up the office. People will be also asked to recite the oath when receiving Slovak citizenship, their first Slovak passport or identity card.
One of the submitters - Rafael Rafaj - stressed when defending the proposal that introduction of such an act is legitimate and needed, as Slovakia is a part of a community "where some king of new idea of 'Europeanness' is promoted". This is taking place to the detriment of national identities, including the Slovak one, Rafaj thinks.
According to Rafaj, a lot of untrue information have been published in connection to the proposal. "No singing! Playing the anthem," he specified.
Rafaj rationalises the proposal by claims that patriotism deepens and maintains loyalty of citizens to the state, which is necessary for some jobs such as teachers, soldiers or police officers. Patriotism belongs among the basic values of the civilised society, he argues.
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