SHO Submits Petition to President, Calling for Lifting Sanctions Against Russia

Bratislava, May 5 (TASR) - On Monday afternoon, representatives of the non-parliamentary Slovak Revival Movement (SHO) submitted a citizens’ petition to the President's Office, calling for a referendum on the issue of lifting sanctions against the Russian Federation. SHO claims to have collected nearly 400,000 signatures. The petition calls on President Peter Pellegrini to announce a referendum with the following question: “Do you agree that the Slovak Republic should not apply sanctions against the Russian Federation that harm Slovak citizens, sole traders, and businesses?” SHO leader Robert Svec argued that the petition became necessary because, in his view, the Slovak government says one thing to the people at home but votes differently in Brussels. If the referendum is valid, he believes it would provide the Slovak government with a strong mandate to negotiate in Brussels against sanctions. Although a referendum cannot dictate specific actions to the prime minister, Svec said the government would have to respect the will of the people. He argued that EU sanctions on Russia have caused Slovakia significant economic damage, referencing estimates of losses in the billions of euros. Svec expressed confidence that President Pellegrini will call for the referendum, noting that Pellegrini himself has in the past voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of sanctions. The initiative has also received support from SNS leader Andrej Danko and MEP Milan Uhrik, leader of the non-parliamentary 'Republic' party. Under the Slovak Constitution, the president must call for a referendum if at least 350,000 citizens request it through a petition. The president has 30 days from the petition's delivery to do so. Before the referendum, the president may refer the matter to the Constitutional Court to determine whether the referendum question complies with the Constitution or constitutional laws. For a referendum to be quorate, more than 50% of registered voters must participate, and a majority of those voters must support the proposal. mf