President Calls Referendum for 4 July on Only Two Questions

Bratislava, 20 April (TASR) – President Peter Pellegrini will call a referendum with two questions concerning the abolition of so-called lifetime annuities and the restoration of the Special Prosecutor's Office and National Crime Agency for 4 July. A question on a request to shorten the electoral term will not be included in the referendum, with the head of state claiming that it would be in conflict with the Slovak Constitution. Voters will decide on two questions: "Do you agree with the abolition of the so-called lifetime annuity; for example, for [Prime Minister] Robert Fico, established in Section 24a(1)(b) of Act No. 120/1993 Coll. on the salary conditions of certain constitutional officials of the Slovak Republic, as amended?" and "Do you agree that the Special Prosecutor's Office and the National Crime Agency should be restored?" The proposed question deemed not to meet the conditions to be included read: "Do you agree that Parliament should adopt a resolution to shorten its ninth electoral term and set the date of early elections so that they are held within 180 days of the announcement of the referendum results?" The referendum was initiated by the extra-parliamentary Democrats party. A referendum is called by the president if at least 350,000 citizens request it by petition. The Constitution also stipulates that referendum results are valid if more than half of eligible voters participate and if the decision is approved by a majority of those taking part. mf/df