National Council of the Slovak Republic (hereinafter “National Council”) is the sole constitutional and legislative body of the Slovak Republic. It is the body of state authority and the status of other state bodies in Slovakia is derived from its primary status. As an elected body it represents the sovereignty of the state and of the citizens. It has an important role in the formation of the Slovak Republic as a modern and democratic state, as well as in the implementation of social and ecologically oriented market economy. Members of the Parliament are elected by universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot. There are 150 Members of Parliament elected for a four-year term.