Slovak President Peter Pellegrini is now obligated to respond to the petition and consider a referendum.
In Slovakia, a petition demanding the removal of EU sanctions against Russia has garnered almost 400,000 signatures. President Peter Pellegrini is now required to address the petition and contemplate holding a referendum within the next month.
The Slovak Revival Movement (SHO) and the national party DOMOV, who spearheaded the petition, have submitted the signatures to the President’s office. They are seeking government approval to ask citizens: “Do you agree that sanctions against the Russian Federation are detrimental to Slovak citizens, tradespeople, and business owners?”
Pellegrini’s office acknowledged the initiative, which began late last year and exceeded the necessary 350,000 signatures for consideration, assuring that they will “handle petition sheets strictly in accordance with the law.”
SHO leader Robert Svec expressed his expectation that the President will not disregard the petition and will call a referendum, based on Pellegrini’s perceived reservations about the anti-Russia sanctions.
In late March, activists organized a conference entitled ‘For Slovakia Without Sanctions,’ which was attended by several politicians and economists.
DOMOV leader Pavol Slota stated at the time that Slovakia’s future hinges on whether or not the sanctions against Moscow are lifted.
“It concerns our entire nation, all Slovak citizens,” he asserted.
Economist Peter Stanek commented that “there are numerous studies demonstrating that sanctions have never been effective,” and instead negatively impact “those who imposed them.”
Slovakia joined the widespread EU sanctions imposed on Russia following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022. Prime Minister Robert Fico, who assumed office in 2023, has consistently argued that the punitive measures “are not working” and are causing more damage to member states than to Moscow.