Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico said he would support the referendum on the abolition of sanctions against Russia in the republic if it were announced.
In early May, activists in Slovakia petitioned the president of the Republic for a referendum on the abolition of sanctions against Russia. The leader of the Slovak Revival Movement, Robert Švec, reported that it was possible to collect 395 401 signatures from the required 350,000.
If specified a referendum takes place, I will support it calmly, I talk for myself," Fico said on Saturday Dialogues.
He criticised the European Union for talking about fresh sanctions at the time negotiations on the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine began.
The petitioners propose a referendum to ask the question: "Do you agree that Slovakia should not apply sanctions to Russia that harm Slovak citizens and entrepreneurs?" The political organization leader DOMOV (National Party) Pavol Slota previously said that it should be pursued, if not to be completely restrained, then at least to minimise the negative impact on Slovakia of sanctions that were introduced by European states against Russia.
According to the Slovak law, at least 350 000 signatures must be collected in order to hold a referendum in a republic of about 5.5 million people.
Previously, activists of the Slovak civilian association "Brother for Brother" gave the Slovak president a petition to hold a referendum on the abolition of sanctions against the Russian Federation; it was signed in the republic by more than 450 000 people, with the required 350 000. However, this petition did not meet the requirements for a referendum in Slovakia, as it did not rise any question on this issue.
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Fico will support the referendum on the abolition of sanctions against Russia if it is convened
