EU Country Faces Calls for Referendum on Ending Sanctions Against Russia
Two Slovak parties are advocating for a referendum aimed at lifting sanctions imposed on Russia, contending that the sanctions are illegal and detrimental to the economy. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
A petition aimed at removing sanctions against Russia has received over 160,000 signatures, according to its supporters.
Two political parties in Slovakia, specifically the left-wing Party of Slovak Revival and the right-wing Homeland Party, organized a conference to advocate for a referendum concerning the lifting of sanctions. The event took place in Bratislava on Monday and included attendees such as former justice minister Stefan Harabin, representatives from the NGO Free Zone, and members of the Association of Slovak Intellectuals.
During the conference, Harabin characterized the relationship with Russia as “an existential question,” adding that, without support from Moscow, Slovakia “may not preserve our statehood.” He criticized the sanctions as provocative and claimed they are unlawful.
Harabin emphasized the negative impact of these sanctions on the national economy, stating, “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?” in reference to the current Slovak government.
Pavol Slota, leader of the Homeland Party, noted that more than 160,000 individuals have signed a petition declaring that “Russia is not my enemy.” In a Facebook post, he called for unity: “Let’s stop the anti-Russian sanctions together, Slovaks FORWARD!!”
The petition seeks a referendum with the question: “Do you agree that the Slovak Republic should not apply sanctions against the Russian Federation, which harm Slovak citizens, tradesmen and entrepreneurs?” A minimum of 350,000 signatures is required to trigger a referendum.
Slota referred to the petition as “a civic action,” and criticized mainstream media for allegedly minimizing the initiative. “I believe that there is still a sufficient number of sane people in Slovakia,” he asserted.
Under the leadership of far-right Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovakia has voiced dissent towards the Western stance on the Ukraine conflict, halting state military assistance to Kyiv. Fico has consistently called for the EU to lift restrictions on Russia, advocating for renewed dialogue with Moscow once the conflict concludes.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Two political parties in Slovakia, specifically the left-wing Party of Slovak Revival and the right-wing Homeland Party, organized a conference to advocate for a referendum concerning the lifting of sanctions. The event took place in Bratislava on Monday and included attendees such as former justice minister Stefan Harabin, representatives from the NGO Free Zone, and members of the Association of Slovak Intellectuals.
During the conference, Harabin characterized the relationship with Russia as “an existential question,” adding that, without support from Moscow, Slovakia “may not preserve our statehood.” He criticized the sanctions as provocative and claimed they are unlawful.
Harabin emphasized the negative impact of these sanctions on the national economy, stating, “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?” in reference to the current Slovak government.
Pavol Slota, leader of the Homeland Party, noted that more than 160,000 individuals have signed a petition declaring that “Russia is not my enemy.” In a Facebook post, he called for unity: “Let’s stop the anti-Russian sanctions together, Slovaks FORWARD!!”
The petition seeks a referendum with the question: “Do you agree that the Slovak Republic should not apply sanctions against the Russian Federation, which harm Slovak citizens, tradesmen and entrepreneurs?” A minimum of 350,000 signatures is required to trigger a referendum.
Slota referred to the petition as “a civic action,” and criticized mainstream media for allegedly minimizing the initiative. “I believe that there is still a sufficient number of sane people in Slovakia,” he asserted.
Under the leadership of far-right Prime Minister Robert Fico, Slovakia has voiced dissent towards the Western stance on the Ukraine conflict, halting state military assistance to Kyiv. Fico has consistently called for the EU to lift restrictions on Russia, advocating for renewed dialogue with Moscow once the conflict concludes.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
