This is the basic text view. SWITCH NOW to the new, more
interactive format. The Slovak Republic, with a population of
approximately 5.4 million, is a multiparty parliamentary
democracy led by a prime minister and a 150-member Narodna Rada
(National Council). The head of government, Prime Minister
Robert Fico of the social democratic Smer Party, was elected for
a four-year term in 2006. President Ivan Gasparovic, the head of
state, was elected for a five-year term in 2004. Both elections
were free and fair. Six political parties, three of which
comprise the governing coalition, sit in the National Council.
Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of
the security forces. The government generally respected the
human rights of its citizens; however, there were problems in
some areas. Notable human rights problems included some
continuing reports of police mistreatment of Romani suspects and
lengthy pretrial detention; restrictions on freedom of religion;
corruption in the judiciary, local gove