Referendum on stripping Fico of payments underway in Slovakia

Polling stations for the referendum on stripping Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico of lifetime payments opened in the republic, the press service of the country's Interior Ministry reported.

"The referendum is being held from 07.00 (08.00 Moscow time) to 22.00 (23.00 Moscow time)," the ministry's statement said.

Citizens of Slovakia are asked to answer two questions on Saturday: "Do you agree with the abolition of the so-called lifetime rent, for example, for Robert Fico?" and "Do you agree that the special prosecutor's office and the national agency for combating crime should be restored?"

The referendum was initiated by the extra-parliamentary party Demokrati ("Democrats"), since in July 2024 amendments came into force in Slovakia according to which former prime ministers who held their posts for at least two terms are entitled to a monthly lifetime payment in the amount of a deputy's salary, which currently amounts to more than 4 thousand euros. Only Fico meets these criteria in the republic, who is heading the Slovak government for the third time.
For the referendum to be declared valid, turnout must exceed 50%. Of the nine referendums held in Slovakia at different times, only one was successful: in the referendum on the country's accession to the European Union in May 2003, turnout exceeded 52%.
More than 4.3 million people have the right to vote in Slovakia, and 5,545 polling stations have been opened in the republic.

Source: RIA Novosti