Slovakia referendum on Fico government term under presidential review

A petition calling for a referendum on shortening the term of Slovakia’s current government has reached the presidential administration, according to broadcaster Markíza.

More than 384,000 citizens of the country of around 5.5 million people have signed the initiative. Under Slovak law, a president must call a referendum if a petition gathers more than 350,000 signatures.

The incumbent head of state is expected to announce a decision on Monday, April 20.

The petition was organised by the extra-parliamentary liberal party Demokrati, which is advocating a public vote on reducing the mandate of the cabinet led by Prime Minister Robert Fico. The group has proposed 27 June 2026 as the date for the referendum.

The current government was appointed following the autumn 2023 parliamentary elections and is scheduled to serve until the next general election in 2027.

By Aghakazim Guliyev