Slovak referendum, 1997
Encyclopedia
A referendum in Slovakia was held on 23 May and 24 May 1997. Voters in Slovakia
were asked four separate questions: on whether the country should join NATO, whether nuclear weapons should be allowed in Slovakia, whether foreign military bases should be allowed in Slovakia, and whether the President
should be elected directly. The government left the last question off the ballot paper, leading to both referenda failing to meet the legally required turnout
threshold.
, Slovakia had progressively become a pariah state
, and NATO were unlikely to issue an invitation. The second and third questions were related to the first, with the questions deliberately expressed in a manner that deterred 'yes' voters.
The fourth referendum was pushed by the opposition. Originally, the president was elected by a three-fifths majority in the National Council
, but the polarisation of Slovak politics under Mečiar meant that no candidate could muster 60% support. With Michal Kováč
's term running out in June 1998, Mečiar's opponents sought to avoid a vacant presidency, which would allow Mečiar to consolidate his power. By adopting a run-off
presidential election, with the two best-placed candidates progressing to the next round, they could unite those opposed to Mečiar in the second round, and defeat him.
for the vote to be legally binding. However, the government interpreted a ruling by the Constitutional Court
tendentiously, asserting that, because the referendum couldn't be binding on the constitution, and because the appendix to the fourth question of the referendum did not contain its detailed explanation as the "referendum law" requested (no. 564/1992), the presidential election vote should be cancelled: despite the court's own ruling that this interpretation does not and may not have any influence on this referendum and that referenda already accepted by the President could not be cancelled for that reason. The government distributed ballot papers without the fourth question, but some district electoral commissioners refused to accept ballot papers that didn't include it.
As a result, the opposition urged its supporters to boycott the referendum, which was successful, with only 9.5% of people turning out. The turnout fell far short of the 50% required, and the referendum was declared invalid. On 26 May, in protest at the government's handling of the referendum, the Foreign Minister, Pavol Hamžík
, resigned. In July 1997, NATO confirmed that they were inviting the Czech Republic
, Hungary
, and Poland
to become members, but not Slovakia. A week later, the European Commission
did likewise: refusing to invite Slovakia to join the European Union
, due to failing the 'democratic criteria', but inviting the three surrounding countries, Estonia
, and Slovenia
.
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
were asked four separate questions: on whether the country should join NATO, whether nuclear weapons should be allowed in Slovakia, whether foreign military bases should be allowed in Slovakia, and whether the President
President of Slovakia
The President of Slovakia is the head of state of Slovakia. The President is directly elected by the people for five years, and can be elected for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
should be elected directly. The government left the last question off the ballot paper, leading to both referenda failing to meet the legally required turnout
Turnout
Turnout may refer to:* Turnout , a rotation of the leg which comes from the hips, causing the knee and foot to turn outward, away from the center of the body* Turnout , a British film...
threshold.
Questions
The first question, on joining NATO, was government-sponsored. It was hypothetical as, under Prime Minister Vladimír MečiarVladimír Meciar
Vladimír Mečiar is a Slovak politician who was Prime Minister of Slovakia from 1990 to 1991, from 1992 to 1994, and from 1994 to 1998. He is the leader of the People's Party - Movement for a Democratic Slovakia...
, Slovakia had progressively become a pariah state
Pariah state
A pariah state is one whose conduct is considered to be out of line with international norms of behavior. This term is closely related to the term rogue state.-Definitions:...
, and NATO were unlikely to issue an invitation. The second and third questions were related to the first, with the questions deliberately expressed in a manner that deterred 'yes' voters.
- Are you in favour of Slovakia's entry into NATO?
- Are you for placing nuclear weapons on the territory of Slovakia?
- Are you for locating foreign military bases on the territory of Slovakia?
The fourth referendum was pushed by the opposition. Originally, the president was elected by a three-fifths majority in the National Council
National Council of the Slovak Republic
The National Council of the Slovak Republic , abbreviated to NR SR, is the national parliament of Slovakia. It is unicameral, and consists of 150 MPs, who are elected by universal suffrage under proportional representation every four years....
, but the polarisation of Slovak politics under Mečiar meant that no candidate could muster 60% support. With Michal Kováč
Michal Kovác
Michal Kováč was a Slovak politician in the early 1990s and the first President of Slovakia after the creation of that state from 1993 to 1998....
's term running out in June 1998, Mečiar's opponents sought to avoid a vacant presidency, which would allow Mečiar to consolidate his power. By adopting a run-off
Two-round system
The two-round system is a voting system used to elect a single winner where the voter casts a single vote for their chosen candidate...
presidential election, with the two best-placed candidates progressing to the next round, they could unite those opposed to Mečiar in the second round, and defeat him.
- Do you agree that the president of the Slovak Republic should be directly elected by the citizens of the Slovak Republic according to the enclosed proposal for a constitutional law?
Boycott
By holding the referenda on the same day, President Kováč sought to increase the chance of overcoming the 50% quorumQuorum
A quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly necessary to conduct the business of that group...
for the vote to be legally binding. However, the government interpreted a ruling by the Constitutional Court
Constitutional Court of Slovakia
The Constitutional Court of Slovakia is a special court established by the Constitution of Slovakia. Its seat is in Košice.-Tasks:...
tendentiously, asserting that, because the referendum couldn't be binding on the constitution, and because the appendix to the fourth question of the referendum did not contain its detailed explanation as the "referendum law" requested (no. 564/1992), the presidential election vote should be cancelled: despite the court's own ruling that this interpretation does not and may not have any influence on this referendum and that referenda already accepted by the President could not be cancelled for that reason. The government distributed ballot papers without the fourth question, but some district electoral commissioners refused to accept ballot papers that didn't include it.
As a result, the opposition urged its supporters to boycott the referendum, which was successful, with only 9.5% of people turning out. The turnout fell far short of the 50% required, and the referendum was declared invalid. On 26 May, in protest at the government's handling of the referendum, the Foreign Minister, Pavol Hamžík
Pavol Hamžík
Pavol Hamžík is former Foreign Minister of Slovakia from 1996 to 1997 in cabinet of Vladimír Mečiar and also member of government of prime minister Mikuláš Dzurinda. He is currently the foreign policy advisor of Robert Fico....
, resigned. In July 1997, NATO confirmed that they were inviting the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
, Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, and Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
to become members, but not Slovakia. A week later, the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
did likewise: refusing to invite Slovakia to join the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, due to failing the 'democratic criteria', but inviting the three surrounding countries, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, and Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
.