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| Slovak parties request referendum to lift Russia sanctions | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A petition to remove the measures has garnered more than 160,000 signatures, according to its proponents | A petition to remove the measures has garnered more than 160,000 signatures, according to its proponents |
| Two Slovak political parties have organized a conference to promote calls for a referendum on lifting sanctions against Russia, and have collected more than 160,000 signatures for a petition. | Two Slovak political parties have organized a conference to promote calls for a referendum on lifting sanctions against Russia, and have collected more than 160,000 signatures for a petition. |
| The initiative was organized by the left-wing Party of Slovak Revival and the right-wing Homeland Party, which held an event in Bratislava on Monday, attended by former justice minister Stefan Harabin, as well as representatives of the NGO Free Zone and the Association of Slovak Intellectuals. | The initiative was organized by the left-wing Party of Slovak Revival and the right-wing Homeland Party, which held an event in Bratislava on Monday, attended by former justice minister Stefan Harabin, as well as representatives of the NGO Free Zone and the Association of Slovak Intellectuals. |
| Speaking at the event, Harabin described relations with Russia as “an existential question,” adding that, without Moscow’s support, Slovakia “may not preserve our statehood.” He spoke out against what he called “provoking the Russians with sanctions,” adding that these restrictions violate the law. | Speaking at the event, Harabin described relations with Russia as “an existential question,” adding that, without Moscow’s support, Slovakia “may not preserve our statehood.” He spoke out against what he called “provoking the Russians with sanctions,” adding that these restrictions violate the law. |
| He also pointed out that the sanctions were harming the national economy. “Almost a million Slovaks live below the poverty line or in poverty. At the same time, sanctions are introduced, and we import the same Russian gas, but at a price four times higher. And people have nothing to eat. What kind of representatives of the state are these?” he asked, referring to the Slovak government. | He also pointed out that the sanctions were harming the national economy. “Almost a million Slovaks live below the poverty line or in poverty. At the same time, sanctions are introduced, and we import the same Russian gas, but at a price four times higher. And people have nothing to eat. What kind of representatives of the state are these?” he asked, referring to the Slovak government. |
| According to Pavol Slota, the leader of the Homeland Party, more than 160,000 people have signed a petition saying “Russia is not my enemy.” “Let’s stop the anti-Russian sanctions together, Slovaks FORWARD!!” he wrote on Facebook. | According to Pavol Slota, the leader of the Homeland Party, more than 160,000 people have signed a petition saying “Russia is not my enemy.” “Let’s stop the anti-Russian sanctions together, Slovaks FORWARD!!” he wrote on Facebook. |
| The petition calls for a referendum to be held, posing the question: “Do you agree that the Slovak Republic should not apply sanctions against the Russian Federation, which harm Slovak citizens, tradesmen and entrepreneurs?” At least 350,000 signatures are needed for a referendum to be held. | The petition calls for a referendum to be held, posing the question: “Do you agree that the Slovak Republic should not apply sanctions against the Russian Federation, which harm Slovak citizens, tradesmen and entrepreneurs?” At least 350,000 signatures are needed for a referendum to be held. |
| Slota described the petition as “a civic action,” while blasting mainstream media for what he claimed were attempts to downplay the idea. “I believe that there is still a sufficient number of sane people in Slovakia,” he said. | Slota described the petition as “a civic action,” while blasting mainstream media for what he claimed were attempts to downplay the idea. “I believe that there is still a sufficient number of sane people in Slovakia,” he said. |
| Under far-right Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovakia has been critical of the Western approach to the Ukraine conflict, cutting off state military aid to Kiev. He has also repeatedly urged the EU to drop restrictions on Russia, insisting that the bloc must resume dialogue with Moscow once the conflict is over. | Under far-right Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovakia has been critical of the Western approach to the Ukraine conflict, cutting off state military aid to Kiev. He has also repeatedly urged the EU to drop restrictions on Russia, insisting that the bloc must resume dialogue with Moscow once the conflict is over. |