Will divorce become harder to obtain in Catholic Slovakia?

In largely Roman Catholic Slovakia, divorce rates have doubled in the last 15 years, and the issue is currently making the headlines, with the country's socially conservative justice minister pushing to make divorce harder to obtain. But are the real causes of divorce being addressed? And how do ordinary Slovaks feel about the issue? Radio Slovakia's Anca Dragu reports.

Christian Democrat Justice Minister Daniel Lipsic has been defending his proposed new Family Law, which would place tighter restrictions on the granting of a divorce. He says the changes are aimed at protecting the partner who may struggle financially after the marriage ends.

It mainly concerns special situations. A court would not end a marriage when the partner who didn't contribute to the split would be in a very difficult situation after a divorce, for example if she or he is a person with disabilities or is in a terminal phase of a disease. Furthermore, the interests of children need to be better protected.

But Mr Lipsic's draft law has come in for a great deal of criticism. MPs like Eva Cerna of the liberal New Citizen's Alliance have accused the minister of trying to revive 16th century ideology; they suspect the strong influence of the Catholic Church behind the proposal. Psychologist Zuzana Mardejakova says such a law simply ignores the real problems which have caused the divorce rate to double in the last 15 years; 44 percent of Slovak marriages now end in the courts.

"Recently one of the most frequent reasons is bad economic situation in young families who tend to give up under the pressure of hard living conditions. There is also the issue of two generations living together when the parents interfere with the life of a young married couple. Of course there is alcoholism and domestic violence, it is the lack of communication between husband and wife or difference in common interests."

Critics also comment on the fact that the Slovak Minister of Justice has chosen the quiet holiday season to launch the debate on such sensitive topic. But how do ordinary citizens feel about the draft law?

"Minister Daniel Lipsic is very conservative and has the church on his back that's why he promotes these ideas which are 200 or 300 years old."

"I don't think it's a good idea because when two people want to separate it's up to them, I don't know whether some complicated law will help."

"Yes, some political parties in this country have connections to the church but they shouldn't lose touch with reality."

The draft law is scheduled to be submitted to the Parliament in September, and analysts expect a lively debate around it.