Parliamentary approval

The Slovakian parliament voted on 11th May with 116 votes in favour and 27 against with four abstentions. The Communist party and the Christian-Democratic Movement voted against.

The political will to hold a referendum was missing.

The President Ivan Gasparovic has said that the margin for passing the bill in parliament would be higher than normal, at three-fifths - the same as is needed by Slovak law to change the country’s constitution. However, the Christian Democrat (KDH) leader, Pavol Hrusovsky, who is a member of the governing coalition, and speaker in the parliament, has argued for a referendum. No final decision has been made.

Even the Slovak EU Commissioner Jan Figel had supported the call for a referendum.

The KDH did not give up the idea of referendum so far. But, according to the Press, it seems to admit it will not insist on it if Parliament approves the Constitution in May.

The text has been debated at Parliamentary committee level and passed in Plenary in May 2005.

Prior to ratification, the Slovakian Parliament (National Council) must approve the conclusion of a treaty. The National Council acts by a simple majority of those members present, with a quorum of 50%. Where the Constitution needs to be amended, it acts by a three-fifths majority of all its members.

Articles 93 to 100 of the Slovakian Constitution provide that a referendum must be held for accession to an alliance with other States. A referendum may also be held for any other important issue. The arrangements for holding this referendum are laid down in a law adopted to this effect. It is convened by the President, at the request of 350 000 citizens or pursuant to a resolution of the National Council.

Read more facts on the ratification.