Slovakia Prepares for Crucial Referendum on Political Benefits and Legal Reforms
In a significant move that could reshape political perks in Slovakia, citizens will soon decide on the future of lifelong payments for prominent political figures, including populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. Announced by President Peter Pellegrini, the referendum is slated for July 4 and will also address the potential reopening of a special prosecutor’s office.
The upcoming vote stems from a petition organized by the pro-Western Democrats party, which successfully gathered support from over 350,000 Slovak citizens, meeting the legal requirement to trigger such a referendum. Notably, the referendum will not include a question on early parliamentary elections, as a 2021 Constitutional Court ruling deemed this unconstitutional.
Currently, Slovakia provides a lifelong payment to prime ministers and parliamentary speakers who complete at least two terms. This benefit, equivalent to a lawmaker’s salary, was introduced following a shocking 2024 assassination attempt on Fico that left him gravely injured. Initially, such payments were exclusive to former presidents.
In a separate development in 2024, Fico’s coalition government successfully pushed through legislation to abolish the special prosecutors’ office, which had been tasked with handling severe crimes. This move faced widespread criticism, both domestically and internationally, and sparked mass protests across Slovakia. Several individuals connected to Fico’s party were embroiled in corruption investigations during this period.
Historically, referendums in Slovakia have struggled to achieve the required turnout, with only the 2003 vote on European Union membership deemed successful. The forthcoming referendum could play a pivotal role in addressing domestic discontent with Fico’s leadership, which has been marked by controversial policies and numerous protests.
